The most wonderful time of the year…

Dear Reader - I do love a bit of January…

The Big Thing

5 fingers, 5 pianos, 5 locations!

Learn to play piano by ear with our 8-level structured and progressive learning curriculum.

Now enrolling for a new term of lessons in Strandhill, Rathcormac, Boyle, and Dublin (Clontarf and Donnybrook).

More here.

 
 

Where else but Sligo?

“Ye have a great community spirit out in Ransboro”.

I have heard this said many times over the years - and often when people say it they are referring to the Coolera Dramatic Society gang. A crew of local people who set up the society over 50 years ago and have contributed hugely to the community and beyond since. There are many larger than life characters in said crew, including one Jim Doyle.

Now Jim would be known well in table quiz circles throughout the county, but in Coolera he is known primarily for his famous annual car treasure hunt. It takes place over the Christmas period and I wrote about it in a letter this time last year. Jim and I are pictured below with fellow treasure hunt enthusiasts Sinéad and Sorcha.

I am writing about it today because Jim officially retired as chief treasure-hunt-setter after this year’s hunt, and somehow I ended up as his successor!

This is actually a huge honour - we have participated in the hunt for over 20 years now and Jim’s hunts are works of art. I don’t say that lightly. So much work goes into them and he manages to flummox some of the brightest minds in the area year after year. I have no idea how I’m going to follow his legacy but I look forward to trying and I will be inviting you all to take part in it next December!

 
 

What’s New?

  1. NO CROWS ON TOUR: Still have great memories of these guys playing at our wedding! They’re on tour this month.
    Sat 18th January 2025 - Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda
    Fri, 24th January 2025 - Celtic Connections, the Hug and Pint, Glasgow
    Fri, 31st January 2025, 8pm - Monroe’s Galway

  2. JUST WRITE! “There is someone out there with a wound in the exact shape of your words”. Nicely said James Clear!

  3. ALL ROADS LEAD TO BREFFNI PARK: All-Ireland club semi-final. Cuala v Coolera-Strandhill. Sat Jan 11 @5pm. I enjoyed this preview.

Finally…

The Crows!

 
 

Till next time - Kieran.

 
 

Lots of new and lots of fun...

Dear Reader - Firstly thanks for reading all year.!
Once again this letter’s readership has grown in 2024 and it’s great for me to see that so many of you enjoy it from week to week.

I’d like to wish you all the very best for 2025. If possible don’t just fall into it.
Take some time to reflect, figure out what you’d like to change and then attack it!

The Big Thing

The 5 most-read letters of 2024…

 
 

Where else but Sligo?

Siblings Mícheál and Eimear Kearney have been friends of our family for a long time now. And after a busy Christmas, an invitation on Sat 28th to Bree’s to see Whatever Suits with them was just what I needed.
And it turned out to be quite the night - filled with Teenage Theme Night nostalgia and a wonderful way to round off the year.

Firstly the band rocked. Clever setlist, great musicianship, and a lively crowd that were there to see them and enjoy every minute. There were 8 in the band too - so a big sound and lots to enjoy!

And Ken McDonald you would have been proud - your former students Sam Purcell and Michael Campbell switching over and back between drums and percussion without a hint of an ego on show. Both having a great time - so good to see.

James McManus’ first gig back in a couple of months and he managed to turn the guitar up all the way to 11. Pulling faces as only he can.
Fraser Gaine mischievous throughout and magically produced two spare saxophones at the end of the night for Tom Ryan and Niamh Keaveney to join him.

The two Stephens (McGurrin and O’Dowd) at the back of the stage holding it all down but still finding their moments to make their mark.

Claire Loftus was my first ever star piano student. She went off to music college in Cork and I hadn’t heard her play in years. So nice to hear how her playing has developed (wow!) and to chat to her afterwards.
And Sean ‘Cabbage’ Callaghan fronting it all with his unique presence and charm. His voice disappearing fast but like John Lennon recording Twist and Shout he kept finding one last show of strength to keep the crowd rocking.

I had this wonderful wholesome feeling throughout. Watching a bunch of young musicians up there doing their thing and doing it so well. All smiling and in the moment. And on top of that there were so many of their Teenage Theme Night friends in the audience. It was a proper scene. Everyone out for the music.

Thanks for the invitation guys!

 
 

What’s New?

  1. 2025 PLANS: It’s going to be a big one. Lots of new and lots of fun. Looking forward to sharing it with you all.

  2. JIM DOHERTY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: I advertised this last week but it was even better than I thought. Listen back here.

  3. MY FAVOURITE RECORDING MOMENT OF 2024: Thanks Niall McCabe for the memory, and to Luke Rory James and Joy for capturing it.

 
 

Finally…

My favourite song to listen to this year - from letter 186…

 
 

Till next time - Kieran.

 
 

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.