Declan Nerney is preparing for his Enniskillen concert
THE LAST time he played the Ardhowen Theatre in Enniskillen, Declan Nerney sold out the theatre.
And, he returns later this month to the venue hoping to attract a similar crowd.
From County Longford Declan is a household name with country fans here.
Having recorded 8 top-selling albums to date, his most well-known hits include Marquee in Drumlish, Anna from Fermanagh, Up in the Mornin’, Christmas Hooley, Barry and Dunne, Three Way Love Affair, and many great cover versions like Stop the World and Let Me Off, Take this Job, Walkin’ on New Grass.
On October 23, Declan will perform an array of hits from his 25 year career – and promises a little bit of ‘banter’ in between songs for good measure.
“The last time I played was in the Ardhowen was three or fours years ago. It’s a fabulous theatre and I’ve been waiting for the opportunity to play there since.”
Declan is currently on tour in the North – having performed in Omagh and Cookstown recently, and is looking forward to taking the band to Enniskillen.
“Fermanagh people are very nice and a great audience. They can expect all of my hit songs from over the years,” he added.
His most recent album ‘Nerney’s Gold’ includes hits spanning over the past quarter of a century – and the musician is in the process of doing a new DVD, commenting: ‘We went the extra mile and made it something extra special’.
Backing Declan in the Ardhowen is Jerome McBride on bass, Martin O’Connor on drums, Willie Dunne on keyboard, Ambrose McDermott and Robert Hunt on saxophone.
“I was known as the up and at it old style showband that caters to the dancers and thought that there wasn’t another side to us,” Declan went on.
“The one great thing about playing this kind of show is it’s not as loud – you know that you’re connecting with the people and the general area of Enniskillen and Fermanagh. You’d tell them stories from along the road. It wont just be here’s another song – I like to have a bit of banter with the audience.”