Flynn to mark career milestone in style

Tullamore man Glen Flynn will soon celebrate thirty-five years in music. To mark that special milestone, Glen will host a midweek break in the Bridge House Hotel from February 13th to 15th.

The occasion will see Glen joined by a host of friends who are among the social dancing scene’s top names, including; John Molloy, Noel Briody, Checkers, Liam Mannering and Maria, Matt Leavy, and Eddie Quinn.

Glen, who plays lead and pedal-steel guitar, has travelled the world extensively with renowned international singer/songwriter Isla Grant, and her husband Al Grant, for nearly twenty years, touring Ireland, UK, Canada, Ottawa Valley, Nova Scotia, Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania and Sri Lanka, to name but a few, and all to sold out arenas.

Glen also performed with Gene Watson, and with Georgette Jones (Georgette being the well known daughter of the late George Jones and Tammy Wynette) when she they toured Ireland a number of years ago. He has also appeared on many TV shows like Opry an Iuir, The Late Late Show, Glor Tire and many more over the course of his career.

Glen was first introduced to music by his parents at a young age, with his mother’s uncle - the late Dan Cleary – having been a founding member of The Ballinamere Ceili Band, outside Tullamore.

In 1986, at the age of just sixteen, Glen’s next door neighbour Bridie Malone, from the Wood of O in Tullamore entered him in a talent competition in the town, which he went on to win. The prize at the time was £100. The very next morning Glen's aunty went to Dublin and bought him his first guitar. From then on, music and singing became Glen’s career, with early influences being Foster and Allen, Marty Robbins, Merle Haggard and George Jones.

Shortly afterwards he joined local band 'The Music Makers' as the lead singer, playing at functions around the Midlands, an era of his career from which Glen gained great experience that would stand to him in the years that followed.

He continued to play music in his spare time and joined the Mick Flavin Band, where he played lead and steel guitar for many years. They travelled all over Ireland and the UK, where Glen became known to many dancers and promoters. He played all the Irish Venues like The Galtymore in Cricklewood, The National, Holloway Road, Leeds, Birmingham, and many more. He also toured with Philomena Begley for her 50th anniversary shows.

Glen currently enjoys playing music as a solo entertainer in the social dancing venues throughout Ireland and the UK, and some events in Spain with Gerry Flynn Tours. He now has a recording studio and does some recordings for other artists. Glen is also a session player and he appears regularly on the Opry TV Shows on TG4.

February’s midweek event is already close to being sold-out, with many fans travelling to Tullamore from Ireland and the UK. Glen is also looking forward to welcoming his many friends and fans from around the local area to the dancing events over the course of the three days.

Admission at the door to each dance is only €10. For more information please contact Glen on 087-224 1255.