One Chance The Paul Potts Story | Trailer US (2014)

GOOD NEWS FOR THE ROYAL THEATRE, HARLEQUIN HOTEL AND THE ROYAL QUARTER, CASTLEBAR

29.05.2014

Islandeady Properties and Lansdowne Francs to Acquire The Royal Theatre, Hotels and The Royal Quarter Retail Area from Andrew O’Leary & Kieran Wallace, KPMG.

Acquisition includes The Royal Theatre, The Ruby Room, Mayo Conference Centre, TF Hotel, Harlequin Hotel (4 Star), Multi Storey Car Park and The Royal Quarter Retail Area incorporating Boots Chemists and other various Retail Stores, The Mosaic and other car parks.

CASTLEBAR & DUBLIN

Islandeady Properties, a hotel management and property company, today announced that their affiliates have signed a definitive agreement to purchase the assets at The Royal Theatre and The Royal Quarter, Castlebar from Andrew O’Leary and Kieran Wallace of KPMG.

Islandeady Properties were advised by JV Geary Solicitors and KPMG were advised by Ronan Daly Jermyn.

Following the closing of the transaction Islandeady’s management team will operate the acquired businesses. The new management team bring decades of experience in the theatre, hotel and retail sector and include Seamus Sutcliffe of Lansdowne Francs, Patrick Jennings and Louise Jennings.

The Assets include the Royal Theatre which has a capacity for 2,200 seated and 4,000 standing.

Pat Jennings, the renowned music and arts promoter, will take the helm at The Royal Theatre and will become its Artistic Director with immediate effect. The Royal Theatre will publish a list of shows and events shortly which will include a number of music events and some excellent West End Musical Shows.

An announcement is expected shortly regarding the appointment of a Conference and Events Centre Director at the on-site Mayo Convention Centre which is currently the count centre for the European Elections. Declan Durcan has recently been appointed as Marketing Director at The Royal Theatre.

Seamus Sutcliffe from Lansdowne Francs who will be the new CEO advises that ”we intend to invest in and grow the The Royal Theatre and its related hotel and retail businesses through enhanced marketing efforts, expanding existing projects and executing on opportunities to broaden the groups footprint in Castlebar. We look forward to providing exceptional arts and music offerings in the theatre and excellent service in our on-site hotels and retail assets”.

Seamus Sutcliffe also added that “we are announcing the opening of new on site retail concessions including a Ticketmaster Retail Store and a Starbucks ‘Proud to Serve’ concession. Over the next number of months we also expect to conclude negotiations with a major UK premium grocery outlet for The Royal Quarter. We hope that we will continue to receive every possible support from the local community for the business going forward.”

COUNTRY SENSATION NATHAN CARTER ANNOUNCES SHOW!

NATHAN CARTER

Tues 30^th Dec, 2014 | Doors 7pm. Show 8pm | Tkts: €27.90
- On Sale Soon -

Following his hugely successful gig last month Live at the Marquee in Cork, the country singing sensation Nathan Carter has confirmed he will play a Castlebar date this December 30th at The Royal Theatre. 

Appealing to fans across all ages, Nathan Carter is one of the hottest acts on the Irish music scene today. Nathan has appeared as guest on numerous TV and radio shows nationwide, alongside performing at countless sell out shows. His album "Where I Wanna Be" reached number one in the Irish charts - the first country act to have reached number one since Garth Brooks over six years ago! This album followed up his MASSIVE single Wagon Wheel - one of the most requested songs ever on Irish radio.

Born on 28 May 1990, Nathan spent his childhood years in Liverpool growing up in a family with strong Irish roots, his folks originating from Newry in County Down. Trips to Ireland to compete in Fleadh Ceoil`s became a regular feature of young Nathan`s life during his early teens, resulting in All Ireland medals for solo singing, and in accordion, all at just 12 years of age. In no time at all Nathan had begun playing solo gigs around Liverpool and London as well as occasional shows in Ireland.


On a trip to Donegal in April 2009, he met with songwriter John Farry and in a few short months Nathan`s dream of performing with his own band became a reality. `Wagon Wheel’ became a huge hit for Nathan, with well over a million hits on You Tube.

Nathan has brought a whole new generation of fans of all ages to Country Music in Ireland. To show just how big Nathan has become, he was announced as support for two of the five now infamous 'Garth Brooks Comeback Shows' in Croke Park. Having just signed with Decca Records, a UK/Scottish Tour is planned for later this year.

CHRISTY MOORE PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS

Christy Moore will be kicking off 2015 with a very special performance at The Royal Theatre, Castlebar on Friday 2nd January 2015..

Christy will be joined by a band of four musicians with whom he has been tentatively arranging his songs with; Máirtín O’Connor (accordion), Cathal Hayden (fiddle/banjo), Seamie O’Dowd (guitar) and Jimi Higgins (percussion). Anyone who has caught the band performing with Christy at select shows over the last year (including Live at the Marquee & The Iveagh Gardens) will testify what a special performance this is.

From Glór Theatre in Ennis, journalist Gerry Quinn  wrote a rave review in the Irish Examiner, emphasising both the subtlety and the dynamism of Christy’s onstage companions:

“Christy opened the show on his own with a trio of songs… then allowed the ensemble to flex their muscles behind the Kildare man’s heartfelt vocals and perform a memorable evening of song that utilised an extensive back catalogue.

“Firm favourites like Jimmy McCarthy’s ‘Ride On’, Moore’s own ‘Delirium Tremens’ and ‘Lisdoonvarna’ were speckled among an engaging and eclectic set. ‘The Ballad of the Faithful Departed’ was performed in tribute to his its writer, Philip Chevron, of The Pogues, who died recently, and the segueing of the song ‘McElhatton’ into the jig ‘Larry the Beer Drinker’ evoked memories of early Planxty in their hey-day. A two-song encore featured a heartfelt and polished version of Nine Inch Nails’ ‘Hurt’, followed by the ubiquitous ‘Joxer…’ to finish off a joyful and emotional night’s music and song.”

IMELDA MAY - Dec 14th

Ireland's reigning queen of rockabilly Imelda May, has announced that she will perform at The Royal Theatre, Castlebar on Sunday 14 December 2014. Tickets priced €35/€39.50 go on sale next Monday 8th Sept @ 9am.

Since the release of her raucous debut Love Tattoo, back in 2009 (now 8x times platinum in Ireland), Imelda has been one of the most strikingly original talents in the music arena, taking her infectious blend of rockabilly, jazz, blues and torch songs from the back rooms of Dublin pubs to the biggest festivals in the world.

Next up was the 6x times platinum album Mayhem in 2010, which she took on the road, bringing some good old-fashioned rock'n'roll spirit to audiences worldwide. With her live shows widely acclaimed, she has picked up fans as diverse as Jools Holland, Jeff Beck and Bono who dueted with her at her sold out shows in The O2 Dublin 2011.

The truly unique Imelda May, is now back with a brand new album, entitled TRIBAL which was released recently on DECCA.  Far from mellowing with motherhood, Imelda sizzles more than ever with her leather-clad attitude, returning with a brand new album of hard-edged anthems. Imelda is pinning her colours to the mast with music which celebrates the great rock'n'roll sub-culture and her own 'Tribal' allegiances.

Bryan Adams Review "THOSE HERE TONIGHT HAVE WITNESSED SOMETHING TRULY SPECIAL."

Review by Eamon O'Neill. (via Mayo.ie)

For any other artist, this review might begin ‘making a rare visit to the west of Ireland’,but for Bryan Adams that simply wouldn’t be true. Following on from his headline appearance just ten miles down the road at the Westport Festival less than three months ago, today the Canadian superstar was back in the Co. Mayo, bringing his ‘Bare Bones’ show to the Royal Theatre in Castlebar. Although the number of gigs in this part of the country has pleasingly been steadily on the increase in recent years, for some it’s a treat not to have to travel to the more usual Belfast and Dublin venues on the other side of the country to see an artist of this calibre.

The ‘Bare Bones’ tour has seen Adams going back to basics. He first stripped things right back in 1997, with the release of his MTV Unplugged album, an acoustic album that featured a full band, tonight he took the concept even further. Without fanfare, a lone Adams with acoustic guitar in hand strolled on stage with a smile, and launched straight into ‘Run To You’. Lit by a single spotlight, it’s one man, one guitar, one voice. And what a voice he has. With no big production or band to hide behind, many a singer would falter, but Adams’ familiar gravelly tones soar, as the crowd were captivated from the off. 

He followed it up with ‘It’s Only Love’ before being joined by Gary Breit on piano. “This is the band” he comically told the crowd. Breit’s contribution bolstered the songs that followed, and allowed Adams to show off his not inconsiderable guitar skills. Breit too is no slouch, as demonstrated on ‘When You Love Someone’ and later, on ‘Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman’.

The show was an intimate affair, with minimal lighting and sparse staging. Adams’ stage banter too brought a closeness to the occasion, and when he spotted one punter leaving for ‘a refill’, he asked “do you want me to wait for you?”.It was clear that the crowd were on his side, providing percussive hand-claps on cue. Not only that, but they were in fine singing voice as well. Also it was genuinely shocking to hear the dominating female voices in the crowd lending their neigh on note perfect tones to ‘Finally Found Someone’ and ubiquitous 1990’s number one ‘(Everything I Do) I Do It For You’.

It was not all sentimental though, as the pace picked up with a spirited ‘Can’t Stop This Thing We Started’ complete with disco lighting. Adams is of course a pro, and the tempo of the show could not be faulted as rocker followed ballad followed anthem. Picking out the ‘wildest woman’ in the audience to dance during ‘If Ya Wanna Be Bad - Ya Gotta Be Good’ he even convincingly tackled blues. 

He was clearly having fun, pulling out tracks from every period of his career, but of course there are songs that he simply has to play, and when he did the place predictably went crazy. ‘Summer Of‘69’ had everyone on their feet, whilst ‘Heaven’ once again incited the newly created Castlebar choir. Clearly appreciative of the adulation, he gave it back, and upon noticing a pair of empty seats in the front row, invited two ladies that were at the very back of the theatre in the ‘nose bleed’ seating on the third floor balcony to fill them. It's a fantastic gesture that the crowd received enthusiastically.

Handing control over to the audience for a ‘request’ section, he played a snippet of ‘Jealousy’ for one lady, a verse and chorus of '18 ‘Til I Die’ for another, and offered an apology to one man in the front row who has been to an incredible sixty Bryan Adams shows, for being unable to remember how to play one of his earliest songs. The cooperative atmosphere suited Adams, and as the main set drew to a close he urged the audience to their feet and out of their seats, “fill up that hallway” he commanded! They didn’t need asking twice and pretty soon the floor was wedged, turning the theatre into a concert hall as Bryan and Gary launched into a celebratory ‘The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You’.

The closing encores of ‘Somebody’ and ‘I Still Miss You… A Little Bit’ raised the roof on an incredible night, before ‘Straight From The Heart’ brought things right back to where they started, with a solitary Adams singing under a lone spotlight. Leaving to rapturous applause, he took time to shake hands with those in the front row before taking his parting bows.

The stripped down show offers affirmation, as if it were needed, of not only what a stunning catalogue of hits Adams has, but also his abilities as a singer, musician and entertainer. Those here tonight have witnessed something truly special. With the ‘Bare Bones’ tour coming to an end, normal service resumes with a full band arena tour celebrating the 35th anniversary of the ‘Reckless’ album due to hit the UK before the end of the year. Whether acoustic or electric, Adams knows how to put on a show and this was definitely a night to remember.

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF DR HOOK FEATURING RAY SAWYER

Let The Good Times Roll ... Dr Hook featuring Ray Sawyer are on the road again!

Millions of fans around the world will remember Ray Sawyer as the highly animated, eye patched, lead singer of the group. His raspy, soulful, and sometimes comic vocals fronted the bands breakthrough to the ‘Cover of The Rolling Stone’ and international superstar status from the late 1960’s to the early 1980’s, with many hits including Sylvia’s Mother, When You’re In Love With A Beautiful Woman, A Little Bit More, Sharing The Night Together, Everybody’s Making It Big But Me, More Like The Movies, Sexy Eyes and Years From Now.

Accumulating 60 Gold and Platinum records worldwide with Dr Hook, Ray Sawyer has gained the confidence of a seasoned entertainer and still travels the world with his band. His son, Cayce has been touring with him since he was 13, playing percussion and singing background vocals in the show. He is now the drummer for the Band. Ray has had the honour of being inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in April 2005. With an abundance of stage energy, and impish sense of humour, an unmistakable voice and image, and a unique ability to reflect his good times in good music, Ray is definitely a song stylist of the first order, and never was it more evident ...

Ray Sawyer was born and lived in Mobile, Alabama, and got his first job as a musician at the age of 14. His style was indelibly marked by the amalgam of black and white Southern music that kept Alabama dance halls hopping. “When you play Mobile, you play either Country or Rhythm & Blues, though down there, they are just about the same thing” Sawyer explains. Developing a style that extracted honesty and emotion - the best traits of both Country and R&B, Ray sings with an intensity and sense of conviction that truly moves an audience.

He got his trademark eye patch in 1967 as the result of a car accident, and he was in a wheelchair for a year. When he got back on his feet, Sawyer headed to Los Angeles, working his way back east where the core of Dr Hook was formed in time to record Shel Silversteins score to the Dustin Hoffman movie ‘Who Is Harry Kellerman And Why Is He Saying These Terrible Things About Me?’