Successful nights as Irish artists take to the stage

Mundy played to a near sold out audience last Wednesday night in the thatch while showcasing songs from his soon to be released fourth studio album 'Strawberry Blood'. All of the classics were correct and present on the night including 'To you I Bestow', 'July' and the now infamous ' Galway Girl'. The Birr man had the audience hummimg and floor stomping along on many of the numbers in his set while the tracks off his new album were very well received. If you missed out on your chance to see Mundy his next live outing will be headlining the Meteor Awards on St Patrick"s Day in Dublin along with the Sharon Shannon Big Band. Sharon will grace the Offaly stage once again for the 'Up Close and Personal Sessions' in the Thatch on Friday April 3, she will be accompanied on the night with Gerry O"Connor, Dezi Donnelly, Mike McGloldrick and Tim Edey as part of the Renegade Acoustic Tour. Meanwhile on Saturday night, Colin Devlin, Fiachna O"Bronain (of Hot House Flowers fame) and Canadian Songstress Emm Gryner took to the stage. A small intimate crowd attended the performance by Devlins" frontman Colin. Colin, who was suffering badly with a sore throat after a lengthy tour around Ireland, refused to cancel the event despite his condition. Colin"s setlist included a lot of new material from his current 'Democracy of One' album and also classics like 'Waiting' and the song from the Bulmers" ad 'There is a Light'. Friend of the 'Up close and Personal Sessions' Paddy Casey made a surprise visit as he took time to visit his old friends Colin and Fiachna. Colin intends to make a return visit to the Thatch in July.