Drama, Music and More from June through September
A summer season of shows running from June through September will be presented in Ballymaloe Grainstore, Shanagarry, East Cork. The season kicks off on Saturday 15 June with Frankie Gavin and De Dannan who will launch their brand-new CD, “Jigs and Jazz II” on the night.
Among the other acts booked this summer are another Irish music legend, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin in concert with his sons, Owen & Moley who perform as Size2shoes (Sun 23 June); comic Neil Delamere (Fri 12 July); the smash hit play, The Love-Hungry Farmer starring Des Keogh (Sat 13 & Sun 14 July), John Spillane with special guest, Caroline Fraher of Cobh (Fri 26 July); Jack L with his new show, The 27 Club (Sat 10 August); The Red Hurley Show (Sun 25 August); and Maria Doyle Kennedy & Heathers (Sun 8 September).
Ballymaloe Grainstore events also include a cookery demonstration by the dynamic mother/daughter-in-law duo, Darina and Rachel Allen (Thu 25 July); the first-ever Ballymaloe Garden Fest (Sat 31 Aug & Sun 1 Sept); and an auction of the contents of a major Irish country home (Sat 21 & Sun 22 Sept).
Summer starts with Frankie Gavin and DeDannan, a genuine legend of Irish music who has entered the Guinness World Records as the fastest fiddle player in the world. The current “De Dannan of the 21st Century” line-up features vocalist, Michelle Lally. Saturday 15 June, 8pm, €20*.
The iconic musician, composer, and musicologist Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin will be joined by his two sons who are returning from New York exclusively for this concert. Owen and Moley perform as Size2shoes, and have a unique style that incorporates rap and beat box. Expect a spirited night of music, song, story and humour that’s suitable for all ages. Sunday 23 June, 8pm, €23*.
Hugely-popular Irish comedian, Neil Delamere, stops off in Ballymaloe en route to the Edinburgh Festival with his new show, Smartbomb. Well-known as the star of RTE’s The 2nd Republic, BBC’s The Blame Game and Fighting Talk, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Channel 4’s Stand Up for the Week, The Independent calls him “funny, clever, inventive and hugely entertaining”. Friday 12 July, 8pm, €23*.
Des Keogh, one of Ireland’s foremost actors, comes to East Cork direct from a sell-out run in Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre with his smash hit show, The Love-Hungry Farmer, by John B Keane. John Bosco McLane is a bachelor of indeterminate age who admits he’s “past his best” but is bound to pursue amorous adventures, leaving audiences in stitches and tears. Reviewing its American tour, The New York Times calls it “fiercely serious and bruisingly hilarious”. Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 July, 8pm, €23*.
A sell-out when they performed their kitchen magic earlier this year, Darina and Rachel Allen return with their entertaining and instructive evening. Mother and daughter-in-law will demonstrate some of their favourite dishes and offer practical tips. They’ll share their culinary philosophies as well, sourcing most of the ingredients directly from Ballymaloe Cookery School’s organic farm. Thursday 25 July, 8pm, €25*.
Musician, songwriter, storyteller, dreamer – an evening with John Spillane is pure magic. His performances effortlessly flit between beautiful poetry tinged with melancholy to roguish, irreverent Cork humour, spanning folk, acoustic, traditional, world and pop. John will share the stage with special guest, up-and-coming Cobh vocalist, Caroline Fraher. Friday 26 July, 8pm, €20*.
Jack L’s sensational new show, The 27 Club, pays homage to iconic singers who passed away at the age of 27: Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Robert Johnson, Brian Jones, Amy Winehouse, Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain. Jack has already toured Ireland to capacity audiences and received critical acclaim following a week-long run at the Edinburgh Arts Festival. Saturday 10 August, 8pm, €25*.
Red Hurley is acknowledged as a unique vocal talent and one of the finest entertainers of his generation. Having honed his craft over forty years, he appeals to all ages, musical tastes and cultures. Be it a cover version or his own original material, Red’s distinctive brand of satin smooth vocal magic makes each song his own. Red and his band make their Ballymaloe debut. Sunday 25 August, 8pm, €25*.
Building on the hugely-successful Literary Festival, Ballymaloe announces the first-ever Ballymaloe Garden Festival, dedicated to all things horticultural. English and Irish gardening experts will gather in Shanagarry to speak on topics ranging from rare plants to garden design. The Big Shed will once again be abloom with trade stands, food and fringe events. Saturday August 31 & Sunday 1 September – see website for details as they emerge.
Maria Doyle Kennedy and Heathers, two of Ireland’s most exceptional female acts unite for a unique and intimate acoustic performance. A twist of old and a hint of new, their show is part of one of the most exciting musical tours this year in Ireland. Maria will be accompanied by her husband, Kieran Kennedy. Expect collaborations on the night for this ‘not to be missed’ evening. Sunday 8 September, 8pm, €18*.
Loughlin Bowe, one of Ireland’s leading antique and fine art auctioneers, will auction the contents of the historic Wood House Estate, Stradbally, Co. Waterford. Admission is free, with donations accepted to benefit Midleton Community Hospital. Sat 21 Sept – viewing from 11am to 6pm. Sun 22 Sept – viewing from 11am, auction at 2pm.
Ballymaloe Grainstore is a 300-seat performing arts venue located twenty miles east of Cork City. The only purpose-built venue in East Cork, it combines terrific acoustics with an intimate atmosphere just steps away from the world-famous Ballymaloe House.
Tickets can be booked online at www.ballymaloegrainstore.com or by phone on 021-4651555 (subject to booking fee). Phone lines are open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Packages for pre-show dinner in Ballymaloe House (6pm) and ticket are available for all performances.