Leaving the fun parts in…

Dear Reader - The ONLY Theme Night of 2026 takes place next week!

The Big Thing

This time next week we’ll be in the Hawk’s Well setting up for the big show!

And it’s coming together nicely!

• We have a young musician who went viral worldwide last summer returning to the Theme Nights for the first time in 7 years.

• I was driving to Collooney on Sunday evening and the final (and most important) piece of the jigsaw fell into place - can’t wait for you all to see what we have ready for you now…

• AND the big meeting with Niamh Crowley has taken place (see below) - so there will be some tasty string and horn arrangements incoming soon!

Friday and Saturday are sold out but still some tickets for Wed and Thurs here.

Where else but Sligo?

There was a serious gang of piano players/teachers present at our student concerts in Strandhill last Thursday and Friday. Bridget, Sarah, Conor, Odhran and Annette (pic below - left to right) are all accomplished gigging piano players and popular teachers.

We had an interesting conversation at one point between concerts - Sarah had been trying to learn the chords of the middle section of Send In The Clowns that day and there were a few that were tricky. We all sat down and had a go but none of us could quite nail them. I said (to my eternal shame!) “surely there’s a chord chart somewhere on the internet” - to which Odhran replied “but that takes away all the fun”!

I loved it. It’s exactly our philosophy. There are chord charts on the internet for every song in the world, but it is far more fun (and way more beneficial to you as a musician!) to work them out yourself. Which is exactly what we try and teach our students to do.

Sarah treated us (and the older students) to a beautiful rendition of Vincent (the chords are more straightforward for this song) on both nights too.

Thanks to everyone who performed and to all the teachers for their help - we were in Boyle on Wednesday night too - they were special nights one and all.

What’s New?

Pop Up Theatre are back!

They are presenting Rock of Ages in the Hawk’s Well Theatre in the first week of April and tickets go on sale this coming Monday Feb 2 at 10am. Find them here.

And given the soundtrack is largely from the 80s - we are thrilled that one of the leading actors from the show - Cathal Mulhern - is going to join us on stage for Theme Night #37 on the Wednesday and Friday shows…

Finally…

As performed last Thursday and Friday!

Till next time - Kieran.

Building the 80s buzz…

Dear Reader - Two weeks to go until Theme Night #37 and it’s all systems go!

The Big Thing

And the great thing is - this show promises to be so much fun. I mean think of the songs - how could it not be?! But there are other aspects too…

• Finding the right 80s sound for some songs but then finding a new way of presenting others.

• Trying to get the set balanced so there is something for each audience member.

• Finding the right new performers who will add to our show.

• Providing some customary Theme Night twists yet also playing the hits.

• Finally and most importantly - sending you guys home feeling entertained!

Still some tickets here.

Where else but Sligo?

It was so nice to see Georgie Gorman back on the Hawk’s Well stage last Sunday.
And we spoke about the possibility of him doing something on our upcoming 80s Theme Night - I’ll keep you all in the loop - it would be just fantastic to have Georgie back with us.

I first came across Georgie’s name when I heard a group of young musicians discussing a song they were learning in technical terms way beyond their years. I asked who they learned all this from and they told me it was from Georgie.
I reached out to Georgie and the rest is history - I have so many fantastic memories of playing with him in Sligo and of course in ‘Victor Street’.

So it was fitting that it was once again working with a young musician which made Georgie return to the stage. Conor Duffy (pictured below) was one of 15 young musicians who presented a brand new song to us last Sunday night in our Young Songwriters’ Showcase.

It was an incredible night of music - such a warm and supportive atmosphere in the room - and we were treated to one good song after the next.
Congratulations to all the young musicians who performed.

What’s New?

The So Funny Sligo Comedy Festival takes place every February and always impresses. Run on a shoestring budget, Brendan and his team nevertheless come back year after year with great new ideas and a fantastic line-up.

This year is no different - check it out here.

Finally…

Here’s one that hasn’t made the setlist…yet!

Till next time - Kieran.

Our Town

Dear Reader - Quick question before we start - what are your memories of Sligo in the 1980s? Reply to this email with whatever comes to you…

The Big Thing

Because there’s only one big thing on the agenda for the next few weeks - and that’s Theme Night #37 - The 80s - and it’s the only Theme Night as you know it of 2026!

I put out a couple of requests last week - one for song suggestions and one for new singers - and it’s clear from the volume of responses that there is so much love for the music of this decade and also great memories from this time in people’s lives.

The biggest stress is that there’s just no way we can include all the songs you want!
But as always we will do our best to match great songs to great singers and bring you not only on an entertaining and nostalgic journey through the music of the 80s - but also (with your help) bring you back to the Ireland and the Sligo we knew at that time.

Still some tickets here.

Where else but Sligo?

I’m delighted today to be able to show you all Our Town - written and performed by Sam Regan - and featuring some past and present members of our Theme Night Academy.

It was selected to be recorded after the 2025 Young Songwriters' Showcase and was released last month.

All with thanks to generous support from Creative Ireland.

This year's Young Songwriters' Showcase takes place this Sunday 18th in the Hawk’s Well Theatre and we can't wait to see what this year's crop of teenage musicians have in store!

But first do check out this song…

What’s New?

Speaking of original material from young musicians, the students of the Sligo Sudbury School have written an a brand new musical called ‘Just One Song’.
Writing a musical is such an amazing feat in itself - Shaun Purcell is the only other person I know locally who has done this - so even before the guys get this show on stage they deserve massive credit. And such an enterprise deserves support.

It debuts in the Hawk’s Well Theatre in March - and you can get your tickets for this unique achievement here.

Finally…

For those musical theory nerds out there - the first two notes of this chorus are one of the few examples in a pop melody of a major seventh interval!

For those who are simply into their 80s music - enjoy this great song!

Till next time - Kieran.

Time after time

Dear Reader - All of a sudden the biggest show of our year - Theme Night #37 - is coming into view.

The Big Thing

And it’s a big one! We’re bringing you back to the 1980s - a golden era for music and also such an interesting time in our country and the world.

And - some honesty for you all as we start the new year - at the moment we have no show! All I have is a note on my phone with dozens of ideas that have been mentioned to me over the last few months.

The process of sifting through them starts tonight - where we try to pick the best ones and somehow mould them into a coherent and entertaining show. So if you guys have any ideas I’d love to hear them - send them into today before we get stuck in tonight!
And - this time I will be taking you all through that process with me - please keep an eye on my Facebook and Instagram for updates every Wednesday.

It all kicks off in early February - 4th-7th to be exact. You’ll do well to get a ticket for the Saturday night at this stage but there should be some left for all other nights.

Don’t leave it too late! Find them here.

Where else but Sligo?

Sligo was so good to us in the run up to Christmas - thank you!

We brought our Theme Nights Unplugged tour to Drumcliffe Church, to the brand new Hawk’s Well Studio, to the Sligo Folk Park in Riverstown and to Maitland’s Barber Shop in Collooney.

Thanks to everyone who took part - musicians Aileen Concannon, Michael Rooney, Steve Wickham, Niamh Crowley, Gillian Brennan, Luke Devaney, Cara Carleton, the Riverstown Folk Choir and Seamie O’Dowd. Also to James McManus, Rory Maitland and Mícheál Kearney who worked behind the scenes to make the tour sound good, look good and happen in the first place!

We recorded this video in Maitland’s on the 23rd - what a wonderful way to wrap up the tour - and what a gorgeous vocal from Gillian.

What’s New?

2026 is new! And all the hopes and dreams that go with January.
Year after year, Time after time.

And we’re kicking off a brand new piano term this week.
In Strandhill, Rathcormac, Boyle and Dublin.
A structured learning by ear curriculum with almost 300 songs is waiting for you. Get in touch if you’d like to join us!

Finally…

This lady is on top form at the moment - she looks so happy in this video too!
Jools and his band coming up with the goods as ever this New Year’s Eve…

Till next time - Kieran.

Three out of three!

Dear Reader - It was one of those weekends where you are reminded just why you do this job. Let’s go through it in order…

The Big Thing

Friday’s was the smallest gig of the weekend in terms of audience numbers but they don’t get much bigger in terms of significance!

Any time you play at a wedding you want to give the couple your best, but it always means that bit more when it’s a close friend waiting at the top of the room for his bride to arrive. It’s such a lovely ask to get - to play for a couple that means a lot to you - and everyone seemed to have a great day.

The piano was wheeled out again later in the evening for an impromptu sing-song that will live long in the memory too…one of those that starts with someone singing just cos they want to and ends up with the whole wedding party involved!

Where else but Sligo?

Then Saturday brought the first gig of our Theme Nights Unplugged At Christmas Tour - at King House in Boyle. Firstly it was great to see this historic house open again after a horrible recent act of vandalism.

And everyone in the room was reminded of what a wonderful facility it is as we experienced what was just a magic night of music together.
Ok it helps when you’re playing a Steinway (!) but the feeling in the room was one I’ll always remember. One of those nights where nothing else matters just the music and the communion between performers and audience.

Emotion, humour and truth throughout.
Thanks to Aileen, Michael and Steve for bringing their best and especially to our audience for being with us.

Great to get the Christmas tour up and running and after that start I’m so excited for the rest of it - we’re back in Sligo venues this week.

4 gigs to go - 2 are sold out but still some tickets left for the Sligo Folk Park on 22nd and Maitland’s Barber Shop on the 23rd…

What’s New?

It would take a lot to put Eoin Troy’s version of River in the ‘new’ category - I have heard him sing it most years since 2011. However I’m not sure I have ever heard it as good as it was last Sunday at the Sligo Academy of Music Christmas Extravaganza.

Eoin always does a fantastic job on it, but to have Niamh Crowley and a big gang of her teachers back him with that magnificent lush strings sound added something so special and made it sound new all over again.

Here’s an almost as good (!) version from 2021…

Finally…

We had a Christmas song from Seamie last week - here’s one from Georgie and I from back in 2017 (possibly should have had a shave that day!)…

Till next time - Kieran.

Treasure Hunt!

Dear Reader - I have you sorted for family entertainment this Christmas…read on!

The Big Thing

But first - Sinéad and I (below) played at the Sligo Park Christmas lunch last Thursday and had a great time - the first time you play Christmas songs each year is always extra fun! They are just supremely well-written songs (in general).

Our piano students have been busy learning lots from the genre over the last few weeks too - Deck The Halls, Fairytale of New York, Jingle Bell Rock and We Wish You a Merry Christmas are particular favourites this year.

And this week as we come to the end of this piano tuition term, students are gathering for a series of group workshops where we play games and work on improving their listening skills.
I had a group of adults in yesterday evening and we spoke about ‘the Christmas chord’ - a particular chord that is cleverly employed in White Christmas, The Christmas Song, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and All I Want for Christmas is You for example.

It’s a 4 minor chord (Fm6 in the key of C for example) which evokes a dreamy, nostalgic feeling - obviously very useful for songwriters trying to evoke similar emotions in their listeners.
If you want to know more here’s a short video of an American pianist explaining it…

Where else but Sligo?

I wrote this in January 2024 after competing in the Coolera Car Treasure Hunt over the Christmas 2023 period. I questioned whether the mind of hunt-setter Jim Doyle was amazing or warped (!) after we and dozens of other cars had driven around the back roads from St. Stephen’s Day on looking for the answers to the clues he had set.

Now 2 years later it’s my turn - and you guys will have the opportunity to question what goes on in my head - as I have been out and about over the last few weeks setting this year’s hunt and trying to figure out ways to puzzle and entertain you all this Christmas.

More details to come, but for now all you need to know is that you can enter and pick up your clues between 12 and 2pm on St Stephen’s Day in the carpark of Coolera House.

Answers won’t be due in until New Years Eve with results given out on the evening of January 1st. All in aid of a local charity to be announced shortly.

What’s New?

A quick update on our upcoming tour.

Firstly - our Drumcliffe and Hawk’s Well Studio shows are sold out - thank you!

And - we’re down to the last few tickets for King House (Boyle) this Saturday 13th and Maitland’s on Dec 23rd.

Don’t miss out - lots of 4 minor chords to be heard! Tickets here.

Finally…

Seamie’s Christmas song from 2021…

Till next time - Kieran.

Our smallest gig ever!

Dear Reader - Firstly some news of our Christmas gigs (including an extra date)…

The Big Thing

December is here and so (almost) is our Christmas tour!

The Drumcliffe and Boyle shows are almost sold out.

The Hawk’s Well Studio show IS sold out but we are releasing a small number of extra tickets tomorrow (Wednesday) morning at 10am.

AND - today I’m delighted to announce a 5th gig on the tour - a special intimate way to round it off - in Maitland’s Barber Shop, Collooney on the 23rd Dec. Capacity strictly limited to 30 but it will be so special.
Tickets for this will also go on sale on Wednesday morning at 10am.

All tickets available here.

Where else but Sligo?

I sometimes go to Donaghy’s on a Sunday evening.
A wee treat at the end of the weekend - sometimes on my own, sometimes with family or friends. Football on the TV, good food and maybe even a pint.

I often sit down the back, happy in my own company or those around me. I was on my own this Sunday but after a while a couple walked in and sat at the table next to me.
I recognised them - Cathy and John - I worked for them as a student in the summer of 2000. In a cafe called Hy-Brasil on Bridge St. They were good to me, taught me how to make scrambled eggs (!) and we got on well.

We have met a few times since and since music wasn’t really a part of my life then, they have been pleasantly surprised to see how things have turned out for me. This time they mentioned that they have both recently taken up instruments themselves and we joked about getting them up on the Theme Night stage.

Anyway we had a lovely chat but as I finished my dinner I felt restless. I tried to put my finger on it and eventually figured out that I had an itch to play some music!
So I rang Bree’s - I knew that the O’Dowds play there on a Sunday evening. Seamie wasn’t there but I spoke to Stephen and he was happy for me to come out and sit in with them for a jam.

I picked up the keyboard on the way and walked in around 7pm. Quick setup and off we went. In between Stephen and Rory. Trading songs and solos. Getting to know each other. Because despite the hundreds of gigs I had played with their Dad I’m not sure if I have ever played a full one with either of them. But you could hear his playing in both lads, as well as their own style. The same sense of adventure, mischievousness and willingness to try things. Great players both - and we had fun.

A fun evening - and was home in bed by 10pm! Thank you all.
Where else but Sligo indeed.

What’s New?

Delighted to say that the Theme Night Academy have teamed up with The Canopy and Sligo Indoor Markets to provide music every Saturday and Sunday afternoon between now and Christmas.
Performers will include both current and past members of the Academy and will add to the special Christmas atmosphere in the centre of town.

Pictured below are Jack Courtenay (2020) and Adam Feeney (current member) who kicked the series off for us last Saturday afternoon.

Finally…

This is genius from start to finish. The concept, the delivery, the performance.

Till next time - Kieran.

Trust that feeling!

Dear Reader -

The Big Thing

Thank you to everyone who came to our first ever Theme Night Social gig last Friday. We certainly had fun and I hope you guys did.
Thanks also to guests Niamh Farrell, Rhea Grimes and Sam Regan for joining us.

As always with debuts there are things we can build upon for next time but the buzz in the foyer was certainly there after the show and we all can’t wait to do it again!

The next Theme Night Social Hawk’s Well Theatre show takes place on Sat April 18 2026 - tickets go on sale TODAY here.

Theme Night Social will also play at the Art Deco Theatre, Ballymote on Sat 14 Feb and Fri 17 April 2026.

Where else but Sligo?

Our third Theme Night Academy masterclass of the year took place last Thursday evening - a huge thank you to Sligo musical legend Kian Egan for coming straight from a recording session in London to talk to our academy members about the music industry and about his time with Westlife over the last 25 years.

He spoke about the music scene in Sligo when he was growing up, the process of building the perfect setlist and how ambition, hard work and determination are key ingredients to success in the music business.

He was at his most inspirational when he spoke of the music itself however - telling of how music was always something he loved, how he still gets a buzz from seeing an audience sing along at a gig, and how you should always trust your feeling on a song.

What’s New?

Theme Night Academy member Odhran Keating sang a couple of songs with me at the Ocean FM Sports Awards in the Radisson on Saturday night.

We couldn’t persuade the other two gentlemen below to join us for a song but they entertained us in many other ways at Table 13!

It was a great night all round - congrats to all the award winners and nominees, and to all at Ocean FM on a well-produced event.

Finally…

TNA graduate Sam Regan played a funky instrumental version of Bridge Over Troubled Water as part of his slot on Friday night’s show.
Possibly inspired by this wonderful Richard Tee/Steve Gadd version…!

Till next time - Kieran.