Navan takeover of RTE radio for St Patrick’s Day

Lost Brothers collaboration with Brian Byrne and RTE Orchestra

Acclaimed duo, The Lost Brothers, will be part of a special St Patrick’s Day broadcast on RTE Radio 1 this Thursday, 17th March, at 2pm. The band, which comprises of Navan musician Oisin Leech and Tyrone-based Mark McCausland, will perform songs from their celebrated album 'After The Fire After The Rain' with the RTE Orchestra for a special broadcast. Gavin Moloney will be conducting and the arrangements have been scored by Brian Byrne, another Navan native. The programme 'The RTÉ Concert Orchestra Presents: New Irish Recordings' will be presented by Fiachna Ó'Braonáin and will also feature Cork songwriter Karan Casey and Saileog Ní Cheannabháin, with Ailbhe Nic Dhonncha and Pádraic Keane.

The orchestral arrangements for the Lost Brothers songs were written by Navan born musician Brian Byrne who himself has been nominated for a Golden Globe, and worked with many acclaimed film makers over the years including Rodrigo Garcia and Jim Sheridan. "I bumped into Brian last winter in the local Navan saloon," explains Oisin "and we really hoped that this collaboration would happen. Brian’s arrangements and scores are stunning. When Mark and I wrote these songs we never imagined that we’d have an opportunity to perform with the RTE orchestra so it is a big thrill. We can’t wait to play this live and we call on Losties to tune in to RTE Radio 1 on St Patrick’s Day. I just hope I don’t break a string."

The Lost Brothers have had a momentous few months which saw them play a sold-out show at Vicar St in December and a hugely successful London date at the prestigious Union Chapel. Rolling Stone Magazine described their recent songs as "pure magic" while The Irish Times called the songs "deeply soulful". The band continue to tour the album with many upcoming dates planned for 2022. In June they share the bill with Wilco, Van Morrison and The Waterboys at Black Deer Festival in the UK.

This Spring the band will be performing closer to home at The Solstice Arts Centre in Navan on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd April, new re-scheduled shows after their annual Winter Solstice gigs were postponed. Special guests next month in April at The Solstice will include the legendary Dónal Lunny and Paddy Glackin of The Bothy Band and Planxty (Fri April 22 only) and superb new singer songwriter Niamh Regan (Sat April 23 only). The Saturday is sold-out so early booking for Friday 22nd April is advised. "It is a massive honour to have Donal Lunny, Paddy Glackin and Niamh Regan coming to Navan in April- three great artists in their own right" finishes Oisin. "I grew up listening to Planxty and The Bothy Band so I'm looking forward to hearing their set. You never know ...we might all do a song together."The RTÉ Concert Orchestra Presents: New Irish Recordings' feat The Lost Brothers will be presented by Fiachna Ó'Braonáin will air at 2pm on March 17th, St Patrick's Day, on RTÉ Radio 1.