One more year…

Dear Reader - I hope you’re managing your way through the madness…

The Big Thing

It’s the first time since I started writing these letters almost 4 years ago that Christmas Eve has fallen on a Tuesday. So why not celebrate the greatest Christmas song of them all - set on this very day in New York City.

This is a really interesting article about how the song came about.

Where else but Sligo?

It’s a time of year where we think about those who are no longer with us.

Aidan Mannion is one such man. I won’t attempt to summarize what was an extremely rich and well-lived Sligo life - the Sligo Weekender do that better than I ever could here, but my attention was drawn to him once again by the great Sligo band Indian, who are putting on a night for Aidan in the Hawk’s Well this coming Sunday Dec 29th.

It’s a beautiful tribute from the band to Aidan, who did so much for them and countless other Sligo artists and bands. Whoever is lucky enough to have tickets for this sold out gig will have a fantastic yet no doubt poignant evening.

What’s New?

1. NEW CHRISTMAS SONG FROM LA GRACIA: Theme Night regular Gráinne McCarthy has just released this. Featuring one of our piano teachers Odhrán Smyth on piano.

2. JIM DOHERTY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: Jim is my favourite Irish piano player of all time. His son - comedian David O’Doherty sat down with him and a grand piano for an hour to chat and hear him play.
   Catch it on RTE Radio 1 at 5pm on Christmas Day.

3. ONE MORE YEAR: It’s always nice at this time of year to be reminded of the fun that Georgie and I had writing and recording this song back in 2017.

Finally…

One day to go Jacob…

Till next time - Kieran.

Anyone for a spin?!

Dear Reader - I got a new car…

The Big Thing

“You might not get a better phone call today”!
So said Kevin Egan to me minutes after he had asked me to be the newest Brand Ambassador for Peugeot.

Kevin and I have got to know each other well over the last few years in the unique and magical environment of Micky Downs’ now famous gym and I had no hesitation in teaming up with him personally and Kevin Egan Cars in this way.

For someone who has never owned a new car, it is such a treat to be driving something so modern and comfortable. I particularly enjoy the space, my children love the technology and my wife loves the heated seats. Oh and for anyone with a dodgy hip, it is liberating to be so high up off the road!

And so Kevin was right - it was a great phone call to get. Suitably happy faces below. I have met quite a few of Kevin’s colleagues who too seem like lovely people and I’m really looking forward to working with them all over the next while.

And if anyone wants a spin in the new car just let me know!

Where else but Sligo?

In praise of Boyle, Co. Roscommon this week actually…

I was there three times for various reasons last weekend, the final visit being for the first of our Theme Nights Unplugged At Christmas gigs in King House.

And Roscommon County Council deserve huge credit for the restoration job they have done there over the last 40 years. Can you believe it was nearly knocked to make room for a car park?!

On top of that they invested in the beautiful Steinway piano I got to play on Sunday evening. It was a gorgeous gig actually. Luke and Seamie were on top form and when Sarah Crummy hit those sweet high notes of hers you could hear the room go quiet.

Last chance to see this gig (this time featuring Aileen Concannon) this coming Friday 20th in Drumcliffe Church and Saturday 21st in Sligo Folk Park, Riverstown. Last few tickets left here.

What’s New?

1. DICKIE ROCK RIP: Dickie’s youngest son is a friend of mine, so I was in Cabra last Thursday for his funeral. And what a send-off it was. Red Hurley and Ronan Collins both sang live, and it was so poignant to hear Dickie’s voice singing himself out of the church at the end.
   The two most memorable moments however were the eulogy given by my buddy Peter - where we got a glimpse into the man behind the singer, and the song sung by his brother Richard just after communion. He hit a high note at the end of Dickie’s song Till and the entire congregation stood and applauded as he was still in full flow. I have never seen anything like it in a church.
   Rest in Peace Dickie.

2. PHRASE OF THE WEEK: Don’t try to be cool, be warm…

3. SLIGO ACADEMY OF MUSIC CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR: Always a great concert! Tonight (Tuesday) 17th in Summerhill College. Just a small number of tickets left apparently…

Finally…

From 1966…

Till next time - Kieran.

Kieran’s Choice

Dear Reader - we have our 36th theme!

The Big Thing

This one’s different.
It’s still a Theme Night with songs you know and love.
Big moments and small ones, loads of special guests.
Fun, cared for and full of surprises.

But this time it’s closer to home - it’s Kieran’s choice - personal and honest.
Our best is coming. From us, for you.

Tickets here.

Where else but Sligo?

It’s the first year since 2005 that I haven’t been involved in the Coolera Dramatic Society Christmas Panto. And it happens to be the year that my dad is directing the show, my son is in it, my wife is doing costumes and my daughter is doing make-up.

So as well as looking forward to a few quiet nights at home (!), I was excited to see it on Sunday. And it was just fantastic. The younger members of the cast are so strong and it is great to see Brian Devaney and Bobby Jones continut to do what they do best after all these years, as well as bringing the house down with their version of Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two).

A huge well done especially to musical director Bryan Mullen, the band and the chorus. The music was top class from start to finish. The work that had gone into it was clear - from the pitch-perfect harmonies to the choice of songs, from the clever lyric changes to the live band reactions.

Anyone heading along in the coming weeks is in for a treat.

What’s New?

1. ATTITUDES TO ART: Please take two minutes to complete this survey - designed by the son of friends of mine for the BT Young Scientist Competition. This young man is exploring the fascinating area of attitudes to pieces of art.

2. CATCH OF THE DAY: Big shoutout to the gentleman of the table who when his wife asked the waitress ‘what’s the catch of the day’, immediately answered ‘you don’t have to look too far love’!

3. FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK: Christmas songs are the best songs to learn by ear - we all know the melodies so well. Here’s Fairytale of New York at Levels 5, 7 and 8 of our curriculum. Find out more about our learning options here.

Finally…

I played this at a gig in Dublin on Saturday - so good!

Till next time - Kieran.

Shakes head and exhales…

Dear Reader - it’s one of those weeks when I’m glad these letters come out on a Tuesday - I was still lost for words on Monday!

The Big Thing

This is what happens when you pay a visit to one of your upcoming gig venues and have a talented photographer in your party.

Theme Nights Unplugged - At Christmas.
Featuring Luke Devaney, Seamie O’Dowd and special guests…

Sunday 15 Dec - King House, Boyle
Friday 20 Dec - Drumcliffe Church (pictured below)
Saturday 21 Dec - Sligo Folk Park, Riverstown (extra capacity added due to demand)

Still some tickets left here.

Where else but Sligo?

“Unbelievable”. Shake head and exhale. Turn to the next person and repeat.

This was Sunday afternoon. And evening.
Over and over again.
For so many of us.
And then Monday morning you wake up and think “did that really happen”?

Because Coolera-Strandhill are Connacht Senior Club Champions.
For the first time in our history and we become only the second ever Sligo club to achieve this, the first since St. Mary’s 41 years ago.
And they deserved every inch of it.

I still don’t have words to describe it, except to say that the feeling at the final whistle on the terrace was as good as anything I experienced as a player on the pitch.

This piece gives an insight into the mindset that led to this victory, and this short video captures the emotion of what went on.

A big shoutout to our ladies team too - who are also Connacht Champions and have contributed massively to an incredible few months for our club. They narrowly (and heartbreakingly) missed out on a place in the All-Ireland final on Saturday but can be proud of a fantastic year.

What’s New?

1. DES POWER’S 2024 PLAYLIST: Always a highlight of this time of year - when Des sends me on his musical highlights of the past 12 months.

2. HALL OF FAME: Congrats to Theme Night supporter Roddy Gaynor who was recently inducted into the Pittsburgh State University Hall of Fame for his achievements as a middle-distance track athlete. I have met Roddy on many occasions but had no idea of his accomplishments until I read this.

3. COACHING/TEACHING: For anyone in these fields, I loved this article about a soccer journalist coaching his son’s underage team.

Finally…

There is something special about this performance…

Till next time - Kieran.

Such a Night!

Dear Reader - 2025 is on the way…as is a fantastic new investigative podcast series.

The Big Thing

In my early days as a musician, a friend of mine said to me that I would have to get used to two things - taking lots of photos and videos, and planning my life up to a year in advance.

This friend was right, as he usually is, and hence I feel behind schedule that I’m only getting to plan 2025 now in late November.

Piano lessons, Theme Nights, Teenage Theme Nights, group workshops, Music Club - they timing of these is all a bit up in the air at the moment but slowly and surely it will all fit together.

The reason I bring this up is for you dear reader - so if you find yourself doing something similar, and particularly if you wish your 2025 to contain more music, then this is a good time to think about that. You can read about the various classes we offer here, and the gigs we put on here.
I would love you to get in touch if you have any questions.

Where else but Sligo?

This process has reminded me that Theme Night #36 is just over two months away, and while I know that type of Theme Night I want this to be, I have yet to settle on a theme. I can promise an announcement in this regard within the next two weeks.

Maybe you trust us and have your tickets bought already, or maybe you want to wait and hear the theme first. Either way you should know that our Friday and Saturday shows are as good as sold out, so you may want to secure your seats soon.

What’s New?

1. YOUR POLITICAL COMPASS: For the week that’s in it - a friend of mine sent me this short test. It can be interesting to see where we lie on the grid compared to our friends/family.

2. BBC YOUNG JAZZ MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR: Hot on the tails of last week’s news (see Where Else But Sligo section of this letter), another young Sligo pianist was in the final of this prestigious competition. Read more here.

3. STAKEKNIFE: From Second Captains and the BBC, this is the latest offering from Mark Horgan and Ciaran Cassidy - the team that brought us the Where is George Gibney podcast in 2021. And it has gotten off to an explosive start!

Finally…

I’m not sure quite why I thought of this one today - but I’m delighted I did!
From The Last Waltz - Dr. John at his best.

Till next time - Kieran.

Christmas gigs…

Dear Reader - Excited today to announce a series of December dates!

The Big Thing

Theme Nights Unplugged at Christmas - myself Luke and Seamie plus lots of very special guests in some fantastic venues in Boyle, Drumcliffe and Riverstown.

See poster below - all tickets available here - on sale at 1pm today - as always you dear letter readers hear about it first.

Where else but Sligo?

Congratulations to Theme Night Academy member Rory Conneally who last night was named as the Young Irish Jazz Musician of the Year for 2024.

It is a fantastic achievement for Rory - especially as he was the youngest finalist. It is also notable that the previous winner of the award is also a Sligo pianist and Teenage Theme Night graduate - Nils Kavanagh.

It is a testament to the remarkable work going on in Sligo’s Youth Music Education scene, and on a happy day like today we would like to also congratulate our good friends in this area - Sligo Jazz and the Sligo Academy of Music - who have played a huge part in giving Rory the tuition, opportunities and platforms to help him reach this standard.

But most of all to Rory - I have known him for more than four years now (indeed I wrote this about him in March 2022), and his progress as a pianist has been rapid to say the least. This is due to his work ethic, wonderful support from his family, and a love and passion for what he does.

All of us at the Theme Night Academy are looking forward to working with Rory over the coming months, and can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.

What’s New?

1. ALMOST PANTO TIME! Last few tickets here…

2. HOW TO PAY TRIBUTE TO YOUR GREATEST RIVAL: Federer on Nadal. Read this.

3. WON ON PENALTIES! Apologies to the reader who told me to ‘piss off’ (in jest!) after a recent mention of Coolera-Strandhill in this letter, but I hope the rest of you will allow me my moment - what an epic match it was last Sunday.
   It is amazing to see our club in a Connacht final - and so well deserved too.

Finally…

The tune mentioned in my blog about Rory above.
Ok it’s not December yet but this is great at any time of year.

Till next time - Kieran.

The best we’ve been at!

Dear Reader - I read this somewhere recently and liked it.

“Work hard but take breaks”.

The Big Thing

See above…

Where else but Sligo?

Regular readers of this letter will have heard me talk many times about the magic in the room on a Teenage Theme Night.

There were so many standout performances on Teenage Theme Night #33 last weekend, but one personal highlight was jamming out a 6-handed piano version of Viva La Vida with Sam and Rory (pictured below).

And while these shows was extra-special, given it was the first ever Teenage Theme Night presented as part of our brand-new Theme Night Academy programme, I thought today you might appreciate a change in tone.
So here instead are the words of parents, audience members and the teenagers themselves on what happened in The Model last Friday, Saturday and Sunday, firstly regarding that Coldplay performance mentioned above.

“The joy on all your faces was something to behold and everyone in the audience felt it too”.

“Our first Teenage Theme Night! We enjoyed it hugely! Kids were brilliant!”

“Hello Kieran, thanks for performing on our song with us, we rehearsed it a lot and we think that it paid off well as we felt satisfied with the performance”.

“Just to say thank you again for the opportunity you are giving to the teenagers. The new academy format is a great addition and I’m sure it will continue to go from strength to strength.”

“Thank you so much for all the help coming up to the theme night. It was amazing and I can’t wait to do it again. Thank you again for such an amazing night!!”

“Great show Kieran. The second half especially was the best we’ve been at. Such a high standard. Bravo you and your team for this fantastic experience for these teens”.

What’s New?

1. THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST: Looking forward to seeing Theme Night favourite Mícheál Kearney and the rest of the cast do their thing in the Hawk’s Well on Thursday night. Still some tickets here.

2. SWEENEY TODD: Congrats to Theme Night stalwart Dave Flynn and former Teenage Theme Nighters Jack Courtenay and Katelyn Rafter on landing big roles in this upcoming 2025 Pop-Up Theatre production.

3. HANDEL’S MESSIAH: Dec 14th in Calry Church. Some great vocalists on this - including Aoife Anderson, Brian Woods, Hannah Hoero, Jonathan Carter and Katelyn Ressler.

Finally…

One of my 10 yr-old piano students requested to learn this a few weeks ago - and I haven’t been able to stop listening to it since!

Till next time - Kieran.

Purpose in life…

Dear Reader - I’ll let this picture do the talking for now…more about it below.

The Big Thing

But first - this weekend sees the first big showcase event of the new Theme Night Academy!

This weekend Teenage Theme Night #33 takes place and for the first time students are coming into it armed with knowledge and experience passed down to them by professionals in masterclass and open mic events in the months leading up to it.

The theme? Grammys! Ensuring an amazing setlist full of award-winning songs.

Come see them brought to life by the latest ensemble of talented teenage musicians.

Friday 8th to Sunday 10th in The Model, Sligo. Get your tickets here.

Where else but Sligo?

Coolera-Strandhill are Sligo men’s senior county champions.
For the second year in a row.
Becoming only the second team to win back-to-back titles in the last 35 years.
What an incredible achievement.

I wrote this three years ago, after this team had lost their second final in three years. For some players it was their third loss in a final. That elusive county medal seemed so far away. And now they have two. I couldn’t be happier for them all.

A friend of mine said to me after the match that he loved how the GAA brought out a more emotional side of me. He’s probably right - Sunday was certainly a day where I felt alive.

A word about St. Molaise Gaels, who have now also lost two finals in quick succession. That is no guarantee that they will go on and win it of course, but if they stick together, the chances are that they probably will. They came closer this year than last year. And it will be all the sweeter when they do. Just ask our lads.

Pictured below are the midfielders on the current team - Peter Laffey and Kevin Banks, along with two former midfielders - see if you can spot who is who!

What’s New?

1. PURPOSE IN LIFE: Former Irish footballing superstar Damien Duff after winning the league title with Shelbourne - ‘Life is nothing without a purpose’.

2. MORE JACOB COLLIER: For anyone on Instagram - one of the highlights from last week’s gig here.

3. TEENAGE THEME NIGHTS IN MADRID: Loved this picture taken by Sam White (2015) of two other Teenage Theme Night Graduates - Ollie White (2018) and Tom Ryan (2020) gigging together in Madrid last week.

Finally…

Rest in peace Quincy Jones.
If you don’t know how amazing this guy was, go find out.

Till next time - Kieran.