ROAD REPORT SPRING 2016
With 2016 well underway, Easter behind us and Springtime firmly upon us we thought it would be a fine time for a road report on Daves February Irish tour.
Daves Emerald Adventure took in the North South West and East of Ireland with an exhausting run of 12 dates in 15 days and we would like to send a huge vote of appreciation to all the promoters and venues who organised, helped and supported Dave on the tour.
After an early morning ferry trip from Liverpool to Dublin and landing in Ireland the tour kicked off and warmed up in the North with a couple of shows in County Donegal at The Forge in Donegal itself and Mcgrorys in the Northern town of Culdaff. It was a tight squeeze at The Forge to fit in Daves sound equipment but after a long set up an expectant crowd, some of whom had traveled from out of town, were treated to an amazing show and were extremely receptive. Dave was immediately invited back by venue owner Tom to appear later that same week but his schedule couldnt stretch, no doubt there will be a return trip to The Forge in the not too distant future!!
From there it was on to the coastal town of Culdaff for a late show at McGrorys. Dave would like to thank Megan and the all McGrorys staff for a great show and overnight stay. We would also like to thank Greg Gorman for all the mega help in getting Dave landed and safely up to Donegal. Thanks for a great visit Greg!!
Final show of the first leg warm up shows was a visit across country to Enniscorthy at Toss kavanaghs, Hi from us here to all the Alarm folks who attended it was great to see you all and thank you for making it such a very memorable evening.
The second leg of the tour was blessed with some wonderful weather for the dates on West Coast in Miltown Galway City and Kinvarra which received some great notices. It was another tight squeeze at Clancys in Miltown Malbay which turned out to be a wonderful evening thanks to Sally and Gerrard. Dave passes on a huge thank you to the Irish session players there for all the amazing music the night before. Connollys in Kinvarra was the venue for the next nights show Legendary Irish folk musicians, accordion player Dermot Byrne from Altan and fiddle player Frankie Gavin from De Danaan, played an early evening acoustic set which Dave was able to see after his soundcheck and was properly amazed. Dave sends a big howdee to Dermot and Frankie who stayed behind after their set to watch Daves show.
After journeying South towards Limerick County Cork Dave played a show at an amazing new venue Connollys of Leap. Sharing the bill that night were troupador Reg Meuros and singer songwriter Eugene Brosnan. After the show that night Dave was able to hang out with Eugene whos set was very well recieved. In attendance were some of Daves old friends from the Kissing Bandits who appeared with the Alarm on the Eye of the Hurricane tour. Dave invited Eugene to appear with him later in the tour at the Seamus Ennis Arts Centre show in Dublin. Originaly scheduled for that slot was Laura Mulcahey who was unable to make the trip, we send blessings to Laura and hope to see you on the next Emerald swing.
After the West Coast it was time for a well earned break to recharge the batteries and Dave headed across Ireland to Ballywilliam to visit his old friend, singer songwriter and musicologist extraordinaire Eddy Doyle. It was lambing time on Eddies farm and Daves first experience at assisting with the overnight fox watch as the new lambs were born. A huge thanks goes to Eddie Hazel and Roisin for a wonderfully relaxing time and for much music shared.
Onwards for the final leg of the tour which began in Waterford at Phil Grimes. We would like to give a big shout out to Colin Busher and Gary who did an amazing job organising the show at Phil Grimes and also to Tom who made everyone feel so welcome there. It was a superbly happening venue and a great evening.
Colfers in Wexford was the next stop, a great and very well respected music venue which has hosted some of the best known musicians in Ireland. Dave was made to feel very welcome there by Owner and Harmonica genius John, who kindly gave Dave a well needed lesson or two in harmonica maintenance!!
From Wexford the Emerald Adventure headed for Dublin where Dave was to meet up with singer songwriter Eugene Brosnan from the Connollys show in Leap. We would like to say thank you Eugene for making a tour de force road trip to appear on the bill with Dave at The Seamus Ennis Arts Centre at very short notice!! The show was played entirely accoustic for an intimate and enthusiastic room of folks and during the course of the evening both Eugene and Dave had a chance to perform together. A fine thing indeed with talk of future dates together!!
With the final leg in sight it was time for the last show in Belfast city centre the night after at The Sunflower and then the journey back to Dublin for the afternoon ferry back to Liverpool.
It would be totally amiss not to give special mention to John Roberts from Barking Spider Promotions for a superhuman effort in booking and expertly routing the Emerald Adventure and to Andy in Belfast who at extremely short notice sorted out the venue there.
Well that concludes the Irish road report, We will have news of the North Devon run and Easter time Scottish dates in the next report.
A huge thank you and vote of appreciation once again to everyone who helped in Ireland and to all the fine folks who made it out to the shows it was great to see you all and Dave is very much looking forward to seeing everyone on the next visit.
From all of us at Dave Sharp.org Go well and Travel easy!!
