Caricatures Ireland » Inishowen

Inishowen Gospel Choir in Sligo, and a wee trip to Glencar!

Allan — Tue, 20 May 2008 22:28:34 +0000

On the way to Dundalk on Saturday (I went via Ardee) I spotted a sign for Derry- 163km. I suggested to the New Muse (who’s been accompanying me to one or two gigs) that it would be quicker to go to Donegal after the wedding than drive back to Galway, and we could make a night of it (Carndonagh is the craic central of Inishowen). I rang The Voice to see if we could stay with her and The Drums, but they were en route to Sligo for an Inishowen Gospel Choir gig in the Clarence Hotel.
The New Muse and I had a quick bite (of food!) in Dundalk and hit the road for Sligo. We took the scenic route from Castleblaney to Clones and then on to Enniskillen, Manorhamilton and finally Sligo. We saw donkeys and ruins and pockets of an Ireland thought long dead: dwellings resting at crossroads with sunken glass in deep windows and walls made of ivy.
We arrived in Sligo in plenty of time for the gig. I got shot in a drive-by waterpistolling as we walked to the venue, I started to give chase and I was catching up when I realised I’d survive as they missed all my vital organs and it probably wasn’t worth it. (Video and pics below the fold).

It was great catching up with the Choir, they’re really busy and they’re really developing a richer sound in preparation for Glastonbury. I took a little video:

I was in the toilet and a couple of headliner Buck Taylor’s band were chatting. One said how great the choir were, tight, beautiful harmonies, the other agreed: “Aye, it’s just a shame looks like a f*cking scene from ET out there!”
I thought the lighting was quite effective actually.

On Sunday after breakfast the New Muse and I took a spin out to the Glencar waterfall, which I’ve passed but never had time to visit. On a sunny day, New Zealand eat your heart out.

Funny looking dog.

What happens when you’re explaining the intertubes to your dad…

Allan — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:45:16 +0000

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!

John O’Loughlin Caricature

Allan — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:38:02 +0000

Finn Harps player John O’ Loughlin, again from the Inishowen Independent.

Alfie the Seal gains his liberty!

Allan — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:41:24 +0000

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. 50-60 people turned up for the release, and at the appointed time we made a human corridor from the top of the beach to the sea and Alfie hopped away to liberty. Unfortunately no-one saw him actually enter the water because a huge wave came, and while everyone was running back up the beach Alfie entered the water and swam off! We got to see his head bobbing further and further away.

It was an amazing experience. Child and adult alike left the beach with beaming faces. I actually heard about it from Facebook, as an invitation went out to the Half-sibs and Quarter-sibs of the Republic of Inishowen. I was going to Inishowen for the weekend anyway but wouldn’t have heard about it without the Facebook invitation.

Well done to everyone involved.

Inishowen Gospel Choir again!

Allan — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:53:51 +0000

Nice to see the Inishowen Gospel Choir get a wee mention on the BBC Radio Ulster blog!

Carndonagh Christmas Jazz Festival!

Allan — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 18:16:26 +0000

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!

Damien Faulkner in the Inishowen Independent!

Allan — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 11:08:11 +0000

Damien Faulkner was a recent winner of the Sportsperson of the Month in the Inishowen Independent.

Queen of Quiet wakes you up!

Allan — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:54:13 +0000

I took a wee break up home in Inishowen last week to recharge heavily depleted batteries (my own). Aside from walking Culdaff beach and bowls of chowder in McGrory’s one of the best things to do when in Inishowen is check out the live music scene. These are my mates The Queen of Quiet performing in Roddens Bar, Buncrana. Which is, by the way, a great wee spot to check out in itself.

Incidently, I valiantly saved this gig single-handedly by driving back to the house for the forgotten mics and leads. No, no, it was nothing.

Ryan Bradley, Inishowen Sportsperson of the Month!

Allan — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 13:02:40 +0000

Congratulations to Ryan Bradley, Donegal Gaelic footballer and this month’s winner of the Inishowen Independent’s Sportsperson of the Month. Ryan will be presented with my caricature below, also published in this week’s Inishowen Independent.

You can see former winners here.

Congratulations Paddy Harkin, Sportsperson of the Month!

Allan — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 12:20:00 +0000

Congratulations to Paddy Harkin, Donegal Boxer and this month’s winner of the Inishowen Independent’s Sportsperson of the Month Award. Paddy will be presented with the above caricature by moi!

Allan Cavanagh caricatures make excellent presents and gifts for birthdays, weddings and retirements. For more details you can contact me here.