The well-known Mac Ruairí brothers from Rann na Feirste performing at the first CluBeo in Leo’s Tavern last month, (l-r) Seán, Dónall, Tony and Aodh.
BY SEÁN P. FEENY
ON Friday night, April 19, one of the county’s most famous stars returns with her second new monthly event to promote talent and give people a new platform to showcase their music.
Whether it’s with Clannad or as a solo artist, Moya Brennan is known throughout the world having now been touring for over four decades.
But Moya always finds time to visit her native parish of Gaoth Dobhair on a regular basis, and can be regularly seen taking to the stage in her father’s pub Leo’s Tavern in Meenaleck.
Many a unique collaboration and some unforttable nights of entertainment have taken place with Moya leading the talent on stage in the famous pub.
Last month the popular singer launched her new CluBeo to great success with well over 20 singers taking to the famous stage.
Moya wants to help emerging and enthusiastic singers, songwriters, musicians and bands by giving them a new platform to perform on.
Moya’s CluBeo is new regular night at the renowned pub where young people, and more experience artists, can get together to expose talent and creativity.
The regular event is aiming to be a meeting place to showcase new songs and music – a reflection of the rich cultural diversity in the area – that currently doesn’t exist and if last month’s first CluBeo is anything to go by, they are onto a great thing at Leo’s.
“I think it was one night during Christmas 2011 that I witnessed all this young talent getting up and performing songs and was totally taken aback. I spoke to Dónall (Mac Ruairí) about it and we set the wheels in motion to set up an regular outlet for them.
“I grew up listening to great singers at Leo’s myself and that’s where we learned a lot of songs.
“This will be a chance for young and old musicians to play and perform with each other and try out different things.
“This is all still very new so we are looking forward to getting it up and running and see what we can develop CluBeo into,” she said.
Moya hopes that CluBeo can develop into night similar to those renowned nights in Dublin that spawned artists like Glen Hansard, Damien Rice, Mundy and many more, but emphasised that this is not just a night for singer/songwriters – everyone is welcome to take to the stage.
It is hoped that the regular event can be developed to include some very special guest appearances at CluBeo in the near future
Call into to CluBeo at Leo’s Tavern, Meenaleck, this Friday, April 19, from 9pm til late.