Caricatures Ireland

I was entertaining in the Tara Hotel, Killybegs in Donegal a few weeks ago (I’ve done loads of gigs in the last few months, which leaves very little time for blogging!). I took the kids up and made a weekend of it, as I don’t really get up that often. The weather was bloody scary actually, it lashed rain and made the journey to Greencastle about 5 hours.
The trip down to Killybegs didn’t take too long though, and the manager in the Tara Hotel couldn’t have been more helpful, he was even rounding guests up for me while I was drawing! I’d a great spot, looking out over the harbour, and my sitters sat in front of the window while the rest of the guests peered down from the balcony behind me. There was plenty of catcalling, until it was their turn to sit for me! Great craic and a lovely bunch of guests.

Tags: Donegal, Wedding Entertainment, wedding caricatures, wedding favours, weddings by admin
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I was explaining to my dad how Google worked tonight, so by way of illustration I googled his name and got this page from MovilleInishowen.com. My dad had quite a reputation as a footballer in his youth playing for Moville Celtic (that’s him, 2nd from left in the front row), but was one of a number of local players that retired early due to family commitments (in his case getting married). In 1975 they got together to form the Moville Rejects and entered the Eamonn Gillen Memorial Cup. You can read the full story here.

In 2004 the team had a reunion. Apparently “Hubert Cavanagh team centre-forward in ‘75 was a huge success as MC on the night”. That made me laugh. Football may have skipped this generation but a big part of my live caricatures is as raconteur with my sitters and the audience, so that seems to have caught!

This is the team as they appeared in ‘04. Note my dad still has all his own hair. That, also, has skipped a generation. And well done on the Smithwicks Cup Dad!

Tags: Donegal, Inishowen, football, moville, personal, sport by admin
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This is a caricature I did for the Inishowen Independent in December 2007. I never caught the chap’s name, but I’ll update the post when I find it!

UPDATE: It’s Liam O’Connor from Culdaff!

Tags: Angling, Donegal, Inishowen Independent, Sports, caricatures, sportsperson of the Month by admin
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Was home in Inishowen at the weekend and got to see the most amazing sight. Alfie the seal, a pup that was found near death in September with broken ribs among other injuries, was released back to the wild on Saturday. Video below the fold. [Read more →]

Tags: Donegal, Inishowen, wildlife, youtube by admin
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If you find yourself in Carndonagh weekend after next there’s a musical treat in store for ye! It’s Carn’s first Jazz festival!

PROGRAMME
“Jazzy Little Christmas”.
14th,15th,16th of December 2007.

FRIDAY 14th of DECEMBER
*6.00pm ‘Cafe Donagh’……Introduction to jazz.
Introduction to the festival with guest speaker, ICR DJ and jazz expert, Billy Wilson and a short documentary about the history of jazz to kick off the weekend.

*10.00pm ‘The Arch Inn’……Queen of Quiet.
Local band Queen of Quiet,fronted by Dublin soulstress Kate O’Callaghan perform some jazzy numbers with a festive touch.

*Get into the mood with an ‘All That Jazz’ inspired Dress Code.Come Dressed in your finest 1920’s-1940’s attire!!

*Round Midnight ‘Tul Na Ri’……Love Pumpers/Montana Floss.
LOVE PUMPERS: Causing a stir in the Northern Ireland music scene,this young quartet bring us funk,jazz and soul.

MONTANA FLOSS: Influenced by the likes of Herbie Hancock,Frank Zappa and Sly & The Family Stone,The Floss are an original 4 piece funk/jazz outfit from Co.Armagh.Dancing is mandatory!!!
www.myspace.com/montanafloss

SATURDAY 15th of DECEMBER
*4.00pm ‘Cafe Donagh’……Spirit of Jazz.
Jazz trio consisting of double bass,keys and voice.Spirit of Jazz deliver a versatile repertoire which covers old and new jazz.

*8.00pm ‘Wesley Hall’……David Lyttle Group.
(support by Neil Burns)
The intimate little venue hosts one of the most exciting names in the Irish jazz scene. Performing a programme of original music and standards, this group features three of the most sought-after young musicians active on the Irish jazz scene.

DAVID LYTTLE: 23-year-old drummer David Lyttle emerged onto the Irish scene in 2005 and has gone on to become one of the country’s most sought-after musicians.For more information visit www.davidlyttle.com

PAUL WILLIAMSON: Australian trumpeter Paul Williamson moved from Melbourne to Dublin in 2006 and is now firmly established in the upper ranks of the Irish jazz scene, working with leading players such as Michael Buckley and Ronan Guilfoyle, and visiting US artists such as David Liebman and Rufus Reid.

JUSTIN CARROLL: is widely regarded as Ireland’s leading voice on hammond organ. He is a member of the notable Irish organ trio Organics and former member of Van Morrison’s band. He also works in the groups of Ronan Guilfoyle and Louis Stewart, and has performed with visiting musicians such as Ronnie Cuber, Keith Copeland, Jim Mullen and Bobby Watson.

*All guests will be treated to Neil Burns,who will be setting the tone with some lush piano jazz and a complimentary glass of mulled wine.

*10.00pm ‘The Persian Bar’……Montana Floss.
Featuring sax,trumpet,drums,guitar and bass.

*10.00pm ‘The Arch Inn’……The Gay McIntyre Trio.
Enjoy the cool jazz sounds of The Gay McIntyre Trio. The trio will perform their interpretations of some favourite jazz standards as well as improvised pieces from mainstream, hard bop and gospel genres..

*Round Midnight ‘Tul Na Ri’……Disco.
Experience the unusual fusion of house music with jazz when the DJ is accompanied by live saxophone.

SUNDAY 16th of DECEMBER *4.00pm ‘Cafe Donagh’……”Jazzy Little Christmas”.
Cozy jazz session around the christmas tree.Everyone welcome!

*10.00pm ‘The Persian Bar’……Ewelina Plodzien.
Ewelina has just released her debut EP which features her signature bossa nova style songs.

Merry Christmas! God bless us everyone!

Tags: Donegal, Inishowen, carndonagh, jazz, music by admin
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