An evening with Phil Coulter in Nenagh

Grace Shesgreen, the In Tune for Life Orchestra and Cuisle Harp Ensemble join Phil Coulter for one of the most anticipated events of this summer in Nenagh at St Mary of the Rosary Church on Friday week, July 26th.

For the past couple of years, the team behind the Ballycommon Sponsored Ride events have hosted the very successful 'An Evening With' concerts at St Mary's. The previous headline entertainers were Eurovision Song Contest winner Eimear Quinn and singer-songwriter Liam Lawton, along with the hugely popular In Tune for Life Orchestra.

The idea for what is now an annual event in the summer entertainment schedule in Nenagh came about in 2017 when local man Albert Purcell organised the first church concert in memory of his mother, Florrie, and to raise funds for the Suaimnheas Cancer Support Centre, benefactors of BSR 2018.

BSR as a voluntary committee was formed in 2010 with the aim of raising funds for local organisations. The 2020 holding of the equestrian event will take place in the villages of Ballycommon and Puckane on Sunday, March 15th, and the beneficiaries will be Nenagh Summer Camp. 'An Evening with Phil Coulter' will in many respects be the start of the journey that seeks to raise much-needed funds for Nenagh Special Summer Camp.   

One of the biggest record sellers and performing artists in Ireland, Derry man Phil Coulter counts among his many awards the Gold Badge from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors. He has amassed 23 platinum discs, 39 gold discs and two Grand Prix Eurovision awards, among myriad other accolades.
Following her performances over the past two years, 17-year-old Grace Shesgreen from Ballycommon join the 'An Evening With' lineup again next week. No stranger to the stage, Grace has performed with Nenagh Choral Society and Musical Theatre Academy Nenagh, and she has been a solo singer at numerous events. A student of Pascal Kennedy, Grace is being trained in classical voice in association with the Royal Irish Academy of Music.

Also returning for their third 'An Evening With' performance is the In Tune for Life Orchestra. Established in 2013, this traditional music youth orchestra consists of over 70 musicians aged from 10 to 22 years. They are led by their musical director, the renowned box player Ned Kelly. The orchestra is primarily Ballycommon-centred and North Tipperary-based, but has members from further afield also.

And joining the lineup at St Mary's will be the Cuisle Harp Ensemble, a group of harp players from Tipperary and Limerick set up by national award-winning harpist Fiana Ní Chonaill from Castleconnell. The Cuisle Harp Ensemble has performed in France, England and Scotland as well as around Ireland.

Nenagh Special Summer Camp was established more than 30 years ago to cater for the needs of people that otherwise could not be catered for at regular summer camps due to either their intellectual or physical disability. Organised and facilitated by volunteers, the camp serves 20 people of mixed ability each week for a six-week period. It has an annual cost of approximately €20-25,000, which has to be raised through fundraising activities.

Priced at €35, a limited number of tickets for 'An Evening with Phil Coulter' are available from Eason and Slattery's, Nenagh, members of Nenagh Special Summer Camp, the In Tune for Life Orchestra, or on 087 2430546.

Please note that there will be no vehicular access to the church grounds from Church Road. The car park at Nenagh Courthouse will be open for parking. There will also be a marquee in the church grounds with refreshments served from 7pm. Concert starts at 8pm.