When a song arrives…

Dear Reader - The Theme Night Club is now 80% full…
You can still join here before it’s too late!

The Big Thing

One last shout for the upcoming Theme Night Social season also.
It’s just like a Theme Night - but every month!

Tickets on sale tomorrow morning (Wednesday) at 10am from hawkswell.com

Season tickets also available (5 shows for the price of 4) here.

Where else but Sligo?

I was out in the Ocean Fm Studios yesterday evening to chat to legendary broadcaster and DJ Seamie Mac about the big launch of our brand new Theme Night Residency.

And it struck me how supportive everyone at Ocean FM has been to all things Theme Nights for over a decade now. From Niall Delaney at the top to Francie Boylan and Margaret Carr-Flynn among others - going out to Collooney for a chat is always something to which I look forward - and that is down to everyone who works there.

But the man I met today is special. He bleeds Irish Music and his love for all things Sligo is unmatched. His smile is infectious, his voice radiates energy and you can’t help but get caught up in his enthusiasm for local music projects.

His taste in music is impeccable too - he played a DJ set after our 80s Theme Night last Feb and had the place hopping.

Plus he is a HUGE Theme Night fan - and is always one of the first to book his tickets - so lots of love from us all for DJ Seamie Mac!

What’s New?

COMPETITION TIME
Win a season ticket for you and a friend to either the Hawk’s Well or the Art Deco!

Enter on Facebook here or on Instagram here.
Act fast though - the competition closes this evening (Tuesday) at 8pm.

Finally…

You know the way sometimes a song arrives in your head and you have no idea how it got there? Well this was it for me this morning…fantastic melodies and groove throughout.
And the main melody doesn’t come in until 2mins - it’s worth waiting for though!

Till next time - Kieran.

Seamie’s Scowl!

Dear Reader - A special Sunday letter - because I don’t want you guys to miss out!

The Big Thing

You see we have a big Theme Night announcement coming later today.

Theme Night Club members will hear first AND get early access to (discounted) tickets. The club is almost full (membership is free) and so I wanted to let you guys know as many of you have been huge supporters of the show over the years.

Seamie (below) has made his feelings clear on those who don’t join up!

Read on for all the info you need.

Where else but Sligo?

All the information about the brand new Theme Night Club was in last Tuesday’s letter - but in case you need a reminder…

It’s a thank you - from us to you - because quite simply, the last 15 years of Theme Nights wouldn't have happened without you.

The Theme Night Club is completely free to join and is our way of giving you a few extra perks for being part of the journey.As a member you'll enjoy:

• 5% discount on tickets for all Theme Night shows

• Be in the know about all Theme Night gigs before anyone else

• 24hr Advance booking - a better chance to book your favourite seats

• Special access to preview gigs 

• Opportunities to meet and chat with guest artists  

• A drinks reception to meet the team and your fellow theme night fans.

To keep it special, membership is limited to just 200 people - if you'd like to join us, we'd love to welcome you, just click here. 

What’s New?

For all you worriers out there (it’s all of us really isn’t it?!) - this was shared with me last week…
“Worry is the worst way to use your imagination”.

Finally…

More Seamie attitude!

Till next time - Kieran.

Welcome to the Club!

Dear Reader - Today brings a special opportunity - available to you guys as letter readers first!

The Big Thing

Welcome to The Theme Night Club

For the past 15 years, you've made Theme Nights what it is.

Whether you've been to one show or fifty, you've supported live music, encouraged incredible musicians, filled theatres, and helped create something very special.
Quite simply, Theme Nights wouldn't exist without you.

We've always wanted a better way to stay connected and to say thank you. That's why we're launching The Theme Night Club.

It's completely free to join and is our way of giving you a few extra perks for being part of the journey.

As a member you'll enjoy:

• 5% discount on tickets for all Theme Night shows

• Be in the know about all Theme Night gigs before anyone else

• 24hr Advance booking - a better chance to book your favourite seats

• Special access to preview gigs 

• Opportunities to meet and chat with guest artists  

• A drinks reception to meet the team and your fellow theme night fans.

To keep it special, membership is limited to just 200 people - if you'd like to join us, we'd love to welcome you, just click here. 

Where else but Sligo?

First though - before any new Theme Night announcement, we have one BIG upcoming show - at the Ballygawley Music Festival on Thursday 16th July.

Bringing a brand new version of last February’s 80s Theme Night with special guests Sandy Kelly, Seamie O’Dowd and Niall McCabe!

Complete with Theme Night band and many of your favourite Theme Night performers, Get your tickets here!

What’s New?

Today is the last day to register for the 2026 Sligo Jazz summer school - widely celebrated as Europe’s premier jazz education event.

Sign up (and see the incredible line-up of gigs) here.

Finally…

One more from last April’s Coney Island sessions - all the way from Dunboyne this is Bríd - a fantastic young talent!

Till next time - Kieran.

50 days 50 songs!

Dear Reader - This letter’s summer break is over and it’s back to business!

The Big Thing

I’m currently in the middle of a 50-day challenge in which I am writing out 50 new songs for our piano tuition curriculum.

Already added are songs like Thriller, Fix You, Chiquitita, Titanium and Somewhere Over The Rainbow and there are lots more to come!

Sneak peek at the first few notes of our Level 3 version of The Parting Glass below.

Our series of summer lessons is underway but we are still enrolling for a 4-week block of lessons on Mondays and Thursdays in July so please get in touch if you are interested.

Where else but Sligo?

Before this letter took it’s summer break we were getting ready for the big showcase where we in the Theme Night Academy said goodbye to the class of 2026.

As you can see from this wonderful Steve Rogers photo below, we had a really special couple of nights in the Hawk’s Well. Full album on the Theme Night Academy Facebook page.

What a treat for us all to be joined by the Sligo Academy of Music Sinfionetta led by Niamh Crowley - I loved seeing the faces of some of our members when they heard the sound of the orchestra for the first time!

Our departing 6th Yrs showed the way with some mature and heartfelt performances, while the 4th and 5th Years gained some valuable experience while bringing so much fun to proceedings all the way through.

A huge thanks to the team who made it possible - to the band, the tech crew, our workshop facilitators, to Niamh and the orchestra - and especially to Mícheál Kearney and Éania McGarry who did so much all year round to give these teens the best possible experience.

Below are Elin Simeoni (left) and Karol Dynda (right) who performed a breathtaking version of Don’t Cry For Me Argentina.

What’s New?

Singer Patrick Quinn performed on Theme Nights #11, #12 and #15 with us many years ago now. I have stayed in touch with him since and he kindly alerted me recently to an amazing fundraiser for AutAid.

Until November 2025, Patrick had never run a single kilometre in his life. This October, at the age of 56, he will stand on the start line of Ironman Barcelona and attempt to complete one of the toughest endurance challenges on Earth.

You can find out more and donate if you wish here.

Finally…

The latest from our Coney Island Sessions - for any Olivia Dean fans out there - here is Anna Rose singing Loud.

Till next time - Kieran.

Blue is the Eye

Dear Reader -

The Big Thing

Many of you will recognise Anna Rose McLoughlin - who came through our Theme Night Academy programme and brought the Hawk’s Well crowd to its feet notably on Theme Nights #33 and #37 recently.

She and Monty Walsh got the boat out to join us on Coney Island a few weeks ago. We recorded a video indoors with Anna Rose first (we’ll show you this one next month) as we knew that there was due to be a break in the weather at 7pm or so.

It materialised, so we dashed to Carty’s Strand and set up the gear in record time in order to catch the pair singing this gorgeous Ye Vagabonds song as the sun set behind them.

This video captures a wonderful performance by Anna Rose and Monty as well as the less glamorous behind the scenes antics! Go on have a look…

Where else but Sligo?

What a way to finish out this season of Theme Night Academy masterclasses!

Last Thursday our members heard from Pop-Up Theatre founder Karen Gordon on topics ranging from building something from the ground up, committing to a project and finding like-minded people to join you along the way.

With our big show coming up next weekend and the theme being musicals (!) Karen also passed on some tips on how to deliver a performance and make the audience feel something.

As always it was inspirational to be in the same room as Karen. Her passion and energy is contagious and if the teenagers got half as much out of the chat as I did then the night was a success.

Teenage Theme Night #38
Musicals
May 9&10
Hawk's Well Theatre

What’s New?

Don’t forget Niall McCabe takes to the Hawk’s Well stage this Thursday May 8th!

Finally…

Who remembers the big screen version of Evita from the mid-nineties?
We’re featuring this song on our set this weekend…

Till next time - Kieran.

Midas Touch

Dear Reader - so lovely to see so many of you in Ballymote and Sligo last weekend!

The Big Thing

But first - the second of our Coney Island videos…featuring fellow islander Niall McCabe (who is coming to the Hawk’s Well on May 7).

Where else but Sligo?

Thanks to everyone who came to the Art Deco and the Hawk’s Well last weekend.
It honestly felt like the vision we had for these Theme Night Social gigs was realised - and for this to happen on just our second attempt felt fantastic.

Great as always to play with the Theme Night band, and special guests Steve Wickham, Aileen Concannon, James McDonagh, Rhona Kerlin, Sinéad Conway and Tish Mattimoe brought a golden touch to proceedings.

We take a break for the summer now but will be back with lots more Theme Night Social shows in the autumn. We will start planning soon though - and with this in mind, I would love to hear what you guys thought of the gigs last weekend - what you liked, what you would like to see more of, how you think we could improve them for you.

Email kieran@kieranquinn.ie - I always enjoy hearing your feedback!

What’s New?

This set design!
So many people commenting on Rory Maitland’s work for our weekend gigs - and I’d like to add my compliments!

Finally…

A fun tune of Steve’s that we played last weekend…

Till next time - Kieran.

Coney Island

Dear Reader - I’m just back from Coney Island - where a gang of of us spent a wonderful few days arranging and recording a bunch of songs and videos.

The Big Thing

It was just lovely. Rain and wind yes but also some amazing scenery and sunsets.
Lots of new music and some fun interpretations - plenty of new artists too!

I can’t wait to show you all what we got up to - for now though if you wish you can scroll down to the bottom of this letter to see the first finished video - a campfire jam featuring Sean Callaghan and the Cabbage Collective…

Where else but Sligo?

But first - last shout for our Theme night Social shows this week!

Fri 17th April in the Art Deco Ballymote.
Sat 18th in the Hawk's Well Theatre, Sligo.

We have two BIG shows lined up - both featuring special guests Steve Wickham, Tish Mattimoe, Aileen Concannon, Sinéad Conway and the Theme Night Band.

Friday’s Ballymote show also features renowned local flautist Fr. James McDonagh - and no - rumours that I will be playing tin whistle are not true!

Get the last tickets now!

What’s New?

A new piano term starts today - and it was lovely for me to meet some of the teachers over the Easter break and hear their thoughts on the curriculum and how the lessons are going.

Sarah and Annette (below) had some great ideas for me, as did Conor and Odhran the previous week - plus we got into some Richard Tee technique!

Finally…

As promised…the first of our Coney Island videos…

Till next time - Kieran.

Playing with a rock-star!

Dear Reader - Two big special guest announcements for our upcoming Theme Night Social shows today…

The Big Thing

Firstly - I could list the many world-class artists and bands with whom this man has played and recorded, but I’d prefer to let you all know how he makes me feel.

• He brings his all to every performance and subtly asks the same of you.

• He tells stories that make you want to hear more.

• His playing is the definition of making your instrument sing.

• His commitment to music and art is inspirational.

• Finally, an audience member said to me after the last gig we did together “he’s a rock-star isn’t he”? And there are many ways in which you could interpret that statement, but if you look at it in terms of being able to command an audience, he certainly is!

The picture below is from his last Theme Night appearance over three years ago - so it’s about time we had him back, and this time we are getting to know him properly!
Ladies and gentlemen………Mr. Steve Wickham!

Theme Night Social:
Fri 17th April in the Art Deco Ballymote.
Sat 18th in the Hawk's Well Theatre, Sligo.

Where else but Sligo?

Going by the many references to discos and slow sets in the dance halls of Ballaghadereen and Charlestown, Tish Mattimoe definitely has Mayo connections!
But we’re claiming her as a Sligo woman for now - and she was a huge part of the success of Theme Night #37 last February.
Her storytelling, humour and matter-of-fact way of presenting anecdotes of life in the 80s resonated with you all and gave a context for much of the music we showcased.

And so as our second big guest announcement today - I'm delighted to let you know that Tish will also be a very special guest on our upcoming shows.

We have created a special segment for her called 'Storytime with Tish' - I heard a few snippets today as the below photo was being taken and I can't wait to hear for you all to hear she has to share with us this time.

More guests to be announced next week - but the clever ones amongst you will get your tickets now before they disappear!

What’s New?

Sean ‘Cabbage’ Callaghan was a guest on our last Theme Night Social show - and he really is going from strength to strength as a musician - and making things happen!

I know he has some exciting announcements coming soon, but firstly - he’s doing a 24-hr gig in Strandhill on May 2. Follow @cabbagecollective on Instagram for more.

Finally…

This is interesting. A piano sonata version of Billy Joel’s the Longest Time, created and performed by his musical director David Rosenthal. Complete with context and explanation if you’re interested (music starts at 2:05).
Audio not great but you’ll get the idea!

Till next time - Kieran.