presents

Michael Flatley’s Award Winning

LORD OF THE DANCE

Tuesday July 24th to Sunday July 29th inclusive

EXCLUSIVELY AT THE INEC KILLARNEY, THE ONLY CHANCE TO CATCH THIS WORLD WIDE SMASH HIT SHOW IN IRELAND THIS YEAR!

The INEC Killarney, Ireland’s leading entertainment destination is delighted to announce the EXCLUSIVE Irish run of Michael Flatley’s award winning spectacular, LORD OF THE DANCE. The troupe will perform their only Irish shows of 2012 at the INEC from Tuesday July 24th to Sunday July 29th inclusive.

LORD OF THE DANCE captivated audiences when it premiered at The Point Theatre, Dublin in July, 1996. Since then, it has continued to mesmerize audiences all over the world with a modern take on traditional dance, bringing Irish dancing into the international arena. It has become one of the most critically acclaimed tours of all time, the biggest grossing tour in the history of entertainment and it has continued to establish itself as the #1 dance spectacular. Based on Irish folklore, LORD OF THE DANCE is a classic tale of Good vs. Evil, expressed through the universal language of dance. From the very moment the show begins, audiences are spellbound by a masterfully orchestrated combination of precision dancing, state of the art lighting and pyrotechnics. The musical score leaves no soul untouched.

Whilst no longer performing in the show Michael Flatley has kept a watchful eye on production and has seen it grow into an international dance spectacular. He is as actively involved in the production as ever. As creative director, he consistently reviews each production in collaboration with a team of experts to ensure the very highest standards of dance and precision are maintained, and that the show continues to uphold its reputation for innovation and excellence, leaving audiences entranced, enraptured, and fulfilled.

This show has been seen by over 60 million people in 60 different countries on every continent. Now the INEC Killarney exclusively brings LORD OF THE DANCE back to Ireland for 6 nights – the only Irish performances this year! LORD OF THE DANCE is the recipe for a perfect night out with friends or family. Don’t miss your chance to see this extraordinary show! Tickets are sure to go fast.

You can avail of fantastic hotel and ticket packages for the run of LORD OF THE DANCE in one of the INEC’s on-site hotels! Choose the wonderful Gleneagle Hotel where you can stay for €90 per person to include one night’s bed and breakfast and a ticket to the show. Or why not treat yourself to the 4 Star Brehon Hotel, who are offering LORD OF THE DANCE fans one night’s B&B plus a show ticket during midweek (Sunday to Thursday) from €105 per person and one night’s B&B plus a show ticket at the weekends (Friday and Saturday) from €125 per person.

LORD OF THE DANCE runs at the INEC in Killarney from Tuesday July 24th to Sunday July 29th inclusive. Tickets are priced from €33.20 from the INEC Box Office on 064 6671555, through Ticketmaster outlets nationwide and at www.ticketmaster.ie (Tickets may be subject to booking fees and service charges). A family ticket – 2 adults + 2 children – is available for the special concession price of €100. For more details on this show and all shows at the INEC, log on to www.inec.ie Follow the INEC on Facebook to avail of special fan-only offers, plus plenty of competitions and giveaways and all the most up to date news on events at the INEC

LORD OF THE DANCE is just one gem in the myriad of entertainment offerings at Killarney’s INEC this summer! From June through August, the INEC will host some of the world’s most exciting and flamboyant stage shows.  In late June, the INEC is truly proud to host the World Premiere of BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY, a musical celebration of Freddie Mercury and Queen. One Dream! One Vision! One Incredible Show! In Mid-July, the INEC will be welcoming all the Super Troupers out there for the exclusive Irish run of the high octane, high voltage DANCING QUEEN, the ultimate night out for all the family. Get your sparkling sequins and your white platform boots down and join us for a celebration of the songs of ABBA, the world’s best loved band!

For more MEDIA information on this show and all the summer shows at the INEC contact Entertainment Architects

AWOLNATION

ALBUM MEGALITHIC SYMPHONY RELEASED IN IRELAND ON JUNE 8th

SINGLE SAIL RELEASED ON JUNE 1st

“In bygone times Aaron Bruno would be drowned as a witch for this kind of magic”

-Rock Sound 9/10 album review

Megalithic Symphony #1 Billboard Heatseeker album of 2011 (#1 for 7 weeks)

Sail over 931,000 singles sold (US platinum status)

72 million views of Viral Videos and User Generated Content

AWOLNATION is the brainchild of Californian native Aaron Bruno. The name is a bit of a paradox -AWOL being military speak for gone. Disappeared. Then there’s the notion of the nation – a community of folk living in the same space who are present and accounted for. It’s a contradiction that’s not lost on Bruno, who started this solo project in 2009.

“It’s not about me,” says Bruno. “It’s about all of us. I never wanted this to be about me as a person. I didn’t want it to be the Aaron Bruno record. But at the same time, the idea was to hopefully create something that people could stand behind, that there’d be a nation of people who felt the same way as me and who could relate to the lyrics I was singing or at least some of the music I was writing. At the same time, as much as possible, I want to keep a faceless identity. I want it to be about the songs, the message, the art.”

That’s the dilemma that Bruno and AWOLNATION now face. While the idea of having a nation of likeminded followers may have been a wild dream initially, it is fast becoming a reality since the release of AWOLNATION’s debut album Megalithic Symphony. The album’s lead single Sail has gone platinum in the United States and the band are selling out bigger and bigger venues. And it’s all happened totally organically, when a Texas radio station began playing Sail before it was even a single and things started to spiral slowly but surely out of control.

“None of these songs were written with me thinking, ‘I’ve got to make a song for radio’,” explains Bruno. “There was nothing like that. I was totally free and independent of any label situation when I wrote most of these songs. My intentions were just to make a record that I loved, first and foremost, that if I heard any part of this record, even if it was just for 15 seconds, I personally would say to myself, ‘SHIT, I want to go and check this out! I want to hear more from this guy’. I didn’t expect to make any money or have any commercial success. It’s not my goal to become some sort of rock star or celebrity. I’ve no aspirations for people to notice me when I walk through the mall or the airport.’

Perhaps it’s an unusual perspective for someone in Bruno’s position, but it’s one that makes sense. Because, like everything, there’s a history – a past that existed before AWOLNATION, but which very much shapes Bruno’s attitude towards it. Previously, he had honed his craft in other bands, but they hadn’t quite worked out. The first was a grunge-inspired outfit called Hometown Hero. Signed to Maverick Records, they released their self-titled debut album in 2002 but were dropped a couple of years later, eventually releasing their second album Bitch City themselves through the internet. “The longer I spend on this earth,” says Bruno, “the more I realise that getting a record deal doesn’t mean you’ve made it by any means. When I was a kid and I signed my first record deal, I thought I was going to sell a million records. And when we didn’t even come close to that, it was devastating. It gutted my soul a little bit – especially when you think that your first signed record is one, really, that you’ve been making your whole life.”

Setting aside their disappointment, Hometown Hero morphed, with a slightly different line-up, into Under The Influence Of Giants, a band with a slightly more poppy outlook. They eventually signed to Island Records, but after one EP and an album, they slowly, silently dissolved into nothing.

It was soon after this that Bruno began writing songs on his own, using his mum’s home workspace as a makeshift studio. It’s there that the idea and concept of AWOLNATION began to take shape. The songs soon followed, inspired both by the misfortune those earlier bands had encountered and by the freedom that writing alone automatically brought.

“Going back to the drawing board,” explains Bruno, “sparked a little bit of the flame underneath me to really say the stuff I’d always wanted to say, to make the record as extreme in every way I’d always wanted to, but didn’t have the learning experience or confidence to do so. Or the desperation.  But sometimes as humans we hit rock bottom, and you can only go up from there. That was the point I was at when I made most of these songs.”

It’s an emotional ascent that’s mirrored by the remarkable success of AWOLNATION’s songs. Megalithic Symphony is a record that combines rock and electronic music to powerful effect. It’s the musical manifestation of the AWOLNATION paradox, managing – somehow – to be both incredibly abrasive but deliciously poppy at the same time. Musically, it’s imbued with Bruno’s incredibly ambitious aspirations, yet tempered lyrically with his modest, soul-searching outlook. From the glorious poppy hooks of Jump On My Shoulders through the scuzzy, grunge-meets pop sensibilities of Guilty Filthy Soul, and, of course, the gritty catchiness of the first single Sail, it’s that combination – of a variety of genres, of feel-good choruses mixed with sad yet hopeful sentiments, of joy and nostalgia, of elation and depression and desperation – that seems to have ingrained itself in the consciousness of those who have so far discovered it.

“A lot of fans I’ve met have said this record has helped them get through a tough time, and that’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever experienced as a songwriter – more so than selling out venues or having a single go gold or whatever. To actually feel like you’re doing some good in this world is a very humbling experience and a very flattering thing to be part of. Whatever someone’s going through, whether a good thing or a bad thing, I feel there’s something on the record that speaks to that situation. If you’re going through the passing of a friend, which I’ve experienced, or a horrible break-up, which I’ve experienced, or any of these sort of things, I feel that since I’m not 18 or 21 anymore, I’ve been through a little bit more of the real serious life stuff than I had been before, so there’s something on the record for the majority of people to relate to on an emotional level.”

Incredibly, it doesn’t seem that the unexpected commercial success of Sail, of the album, or indeed the increasing profile of AWOLNATION has had much of an effect on Aaron Bruno. For him, the purpose of what he’s doing is just to turn the ideas that randomly but frequently occur to him into songs. The fact that people (and a lot of people at that!) are interested in them is just a bonus.

“It hasn’t changed me at all,” he says, then chuckles. “I’m sure a lot of people say that, but I feel the exact same, in any way that I felt like. If I felt depressed before, I still feel the same way. I still feel like a weirdo, you know. I still feel like my own person. The only thing that’s changed is I have to constantly remind myself that everything’s going good. At the end of the day I’m just a surfer kid from California that was lucky enough to have people support me, even when times were tough.

Most of the time, all I want to do is surf an uncrowded wave and make songs that come into my head. If some of these songs make people happy, then I’m really happy. Whether or not a bunch of money comes my way or doesn’t, it doesn’t change the fact that no one can take away how much it means to me to release these ideas. And I’m happy that I had to go through the struggle to get here.”

The struggle has paid off. The single Sail has achieved platinum status in the US. It was the #2 most played alternative track of 2011 in the US. The album was the #1 Billboard Heatseeker album of 2011 (#1 for an amazing 7 weeks!). Viral videos and fan generated content have had an incredible 72 MILLION impressions.  Now Megalithic Symphony is set to be released in Ireland on June 8th (with a pan European release on June 4th).

For more information contact Jenny @ Entertainment Architects jenny@ealtd.ie +353 1 905 6384

http://www.facebook.com/AWOLNATION / http://twitter.com/awolnation / www.youtube.com/AWOLNATION www.awolnationmusic.com | www.megalithicmayhem.com www.ealtd.ie

PREMIER LIVE VENUE THE WORKMAN’S CLUB ARE FLUSH WITH PRIDE TO ANNOUNCE IMMINENT OPENING OF A BRAND NEW THRONE

The folks over at The Workman’s Club are always looking for ways to make your visit to their gaff an enjoyable and hassle free experience. You spoke and they heard you! ‘Amazing bands’ you said. ‘Check’ they cried. ‘Delicious drinks’ you said. ‘Sorted!’ they replied merrily.   ‘More loos!’ you declared. ‘Your wish is our command’ they trilled!

To that end, they’ve built brand new toilets on the second floor – aptly named Janet and Michael…The JacksOn Two. Located right next to the funkily appointed smoking area, close to the bar and just a shimmy away from the decks, you needn’t miss any more fun than absolutely necessary.  Furnished with brand spanking new porcelain and shiny new taps there’s nothing standard about these bogs!

So, whether you’re enjoying the record spinnage of the many DJs who grace the decks, listening to the musical stylings of the many local and international artists who make The Workman’s Club a staple stop on their tours or just enjoying a cold beer or a tasty cocktail from the bar with friends, you gotta know The Workman’s Club got your back(side) covered!

New Jacks open Friday, May 18th. It’s alright! This Jumpin’ Jack’s Flash!

Webby: theworkmansclub.com / Facey: TheWorkmansClub / Tweety: @WorkmansDublin

EP BOXED SET OUT JUNE 1st

“Sensational…Watch this one” Sunday Times Culture

“An outstanding talent…Rams’ engage fans curiosity with beautiful, creative and powerful tracks” Clash

“About to scare the ******* out of every other piano-based band on the planet – Tom Robinson BBC6 Music

“An artist of verve and versatility: keep this frequency clear” AU Magazine

“..it’s hard not to be totally floored by his skill’ Hot Press

RAMS’ POCKET RADIO is Peter McCauley, a drummer, pianist and songwriter from Lisburn, Northern Ireland. For his live performances Peter is joined onstage by friends, and between them they create an intense and unmissable musical experience. 

Rams’ Pocket Radio has now announced details of a brand new box set of his previous 3 EPs entitled ‘Trajectories’ This box set contains Dieter Rams Has Got The Pocket Radio, Dogs Run In Packs and 1+2.

When ‘Dieter Rams Has Got The Pocket Radios’ was released in August, it picked up comparisons with the likes of Frightened Rabbit  and was supported by an acclaimed set at Glastonbury’s BBC Introducing Stage. The Irish Star called Rams Pocket Radio a “music act with vision..radio friendly rock whose shiny melodies are nicely offset by Peter McCauley’s frayed vocals” Hot Press reviewed the EP – saying “a big, booming pop gem, Dieter..is the tune Keane have spent 4 albums trying to write.” ‘Dieter Rams Has Got The Pocket Radios’, was playlisted by BBC Radio 1 Introducing and saw spins from the likes of Huw Stephens, Fearne Cotton, Nick Grimshaw and Annie Mac.

‘Dogs Run In Packs’ EP followed in November and featured songs that are meticulously crafted and effortlessly epic, mixing elements of pounding, piano-based pop with heavier rock sounds. The title track’s bold piano hooks grabs the listener from the get-go, with Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol choosing “Dogs” has his “Track of the Month” in Q magazine.

‘1+2’ was released in February. Driven by a nagging guitar riff and a simple but memorable chorus, ‘1+2’ was written, says Rams, “about making yourself vulnerable to help someone, and the things that can happen as a result.” ‘1+2’ is, moreover, Rams’ most immediate and accessible piece of songwriting to date, sitting nicely against some of the EP’s more experimental moments (see the brooding ‘Love Is A  Bitter Thing’, and the glitchy electronics of ‘Swallow’).

Following support slots for the likes of Darwin Deez, tUnE-yArDs and Marina and the Diamonds, Rams have just been supporting Snow Patrol on their extensive European tour – taking in Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland and France. More dates and exciting news to be announced shortly!

The INEC Killarney

presents

The World Premiere of

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

Tuesday June 26^th to Sunday July 1^st inclusive

THE HITS OF QUEEN ROCKING THE STAGE OF THE INEC!

The INEC Killarney, Ireland’s leading entertainment destination is delighted to announce the World Premiere run of BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY, a spellbinding celebration of the music of Freddie Mercury and Queen!

Queen’s greatest hits explode on the INEC stage for the very first time anywhere in the world in BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY, a huge Broadway style production which sees a full scale cast of 25 world class performers bring to life Queen’s greatest hits in one dynamic, breathtaking show.

From Bohemian Rhapsody to Killer Queen, We Are The Champions to Barcelona, this INEC exclusive production Will Rock You!  One Dream – One Vision – One Incredible Show!

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY runs at the INEC in Killarney from Tuesday June 26 to Sunday July 1^st inclusive. Tickets are €30 from the INEC Box Office on 064 6671555, through Ticketmaster outlets nationwide and at www.ticketmaster.ie (Tickets may be subject to booking fees and service charges). For more details on this show and all shows at the INEC, log on to www.inec.ie Follow the INEC on Facebook to avail of special fan-only offers, plus plenty of competitions and giveaways and all the most up to date news on events at the INEC.

You can avail of fantastic hotel and ticket packages for the run of BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY in one of the INEC’s on-site hotels! Choose the wonderful Gleneagle Hotel where you can stay for €75 per person to include one night’s bed and breakfast and a ticket to the show. Or why not treat yourself to the 4 Star Brehon Hotel, who are offering BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY fans one night’s B&B plus a show ticket during midweek (Sunday to Thursday) from €90 per person and one night’s B&B plus a show ticket at the weekends (Friday and Saturday) from €110 per person.

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY is just one gem in the myriad of entertainment offerings at Killarney’s INEC this summer! From June through August, the INEC will host some of the world’s most exciting and flamboyant stage shows. In Mid-July, the INEC will be welcoming all the Super Troupers out there for the exclusive Irish run of the high octane, high voltage DANCING QUEEN, the ultimate night out for all the family. Get your sparkling sequins and your white platform boots down and join us for a celebration of the songs of ABBA, the world’s best loved band! And in late July, the INEC is hugely honoured to have been chosen as the venue for the one and only summer Irish run of LORD OF THE DANCE. Six stunning nights celebrating all that is great about Ireland, our old traditions and modern voice brought to life in this uplifting and entrancing Michael Flatley endorsed exclusive production.

ENDS

For more MEDIA information and interview requests on this show and all the summer shows at the INEC contact Entertainment Architects

Sorcha on (01) 9056381 / Sorcha@ealtd.ie/ www.entertainmentarchitects.ie

Leopardstown Racecourse, Dublin

Nine summer evenings of festival fun, great food and thrilling racing!

Followed by a live concert under cover in the Big Top!

Friday June 8: Bipolar Empire with support from The Would Be’s

Thursday June 14: Original Rudeboys plus Ireland v Spain on the big screen

Thursday June 21: The Walls and The Frank & Walters

Thursday July 5: Kila with support from The Raglans

Thursday July 12: Jape and Fred

Thursday July 19: Royseven with support from Keywest

Thursday July 26: The Minutes with support from Dead School

Thursday August 9: Ryan Sheridan with support from The Kanyu Tree

Thursday August 16: The Saw Doctors

For nine summer evenings, Dublin’s only racecourse will combine the atmosphere of a boutique music festival with the best in horse racing, all for the unbeatable price of €15.

This year the festival has the added attraction of a weather-proofed Big Top which will host the live concerts after racing. Ciaran Conroy, Commercial Manager of Leopardstown said “Now in its fourth year, we’re proud that LIVE AT LEOPARDSTOWN has enabled many people to experience racing for the first time. We are delighted to enhance the customer experience by hosting all our concerts under canvas in the Leopardstown Big Top. For 2012, we’ve added top class support acts to further enhance the music element of the festival.”

Acts who will headline the Leopardstown Big Top this summer include Bipolar Empire, The Original Rude Boys, The Walls, Kila, Jape, Royseven, The Minutes, Ryan Sheridan and The Saw Doctors. Support acts include The Would Be’s, The Frank and Walters, The Raglans, Fred, Keywest, Dead School and The Kanyu Tree.

The food offerings at LIVE AT LEOPARDSTOWN are better than ever – for €30 the Festival Bundle ticket includes admission to racing and concert, a bottle of Budweiser (or soft drink), a complimentary race programme and a meal option from the Festival Food Court Menu.  The Pavilion Party Package which offers a panoramic view of the finishing straight is priced at €65 and includes a prosecco reception and a three course buffet at a reserved table.  A Racing Tipster is also on hand to advise on picking a winner.

Friday June 8^th sees rising pop rock band Bipolar Empire headline the Big Top to get the festival season started in style supported by pop band The Would Be’s. The following Thursday, Euro 2012 fever hits Leopardstown with the Ireland vs. Spain match taking place after racing in the Big Top, followed by another unmissable live performance from The Original Rudeboys. Stunning rockers The Walls come to Leopardstown on Thursday June 21^st supported by indie legends the Frank & Walters.

Celtic Rock aficionados Kila are back by popular demand on Thursday July 5^th supported by the acoustic four-piece The Raglans. Choice Music Prize-winning electro outfit Jape, appear on Thursday July 12^th with support from Cork legends Fred. One of Ireland’s biggest bands Royseven will be tearing up Leopardstown on Thursday July 19^th with pop act Keywest in support. Rock merchants The Minutes will debut in Leopardstown on Thursday July 26^th supported by alternative rockers Dead School.

Celebrated singer-songwriter Ryan Sheridan will be supported by the very popular The Kanyu Tree on Thursday August 9^th. Leopardstown party favourites The Saw Doctors will bring the LIVE AT LEOPARDSTOWN season to a close on Thursday August 16.

Racing kicks off between 5.30pm and 6.00pm and finishes up in time for the live music to commence between 8.30pm and 9.00pm. Please note that special arrangements will be in place to accommodate customers viewing the Ireland Vs Spain Euro 2012 game on Thursday June 14^th.

Leopardstown is easily accessible from the Luas Green line with dedicated shuttle buses running from the Sandyford stop. Leopardstown is located off exit 14 or exit 15 on the M50 southbound or exit 15, M50 Northbound. Ample FREE parking is available onsite.

Tickets are available on www.liveatleopardstown.com or www.ticketmaster.ie or call the ticketline on: 01 2890500

Follow us on Facebook – Leopardstown Racecourse

Follow us on Twitter – @Leopardstownrc  #liveatleop

ENDS

For further media information get in touch with Aileen at Entertainment Architects

(01) 9056382 /aileen@ealtd.ie / www.entertainmentarchitects.ie

proudly presents

JOHN BISHOP

ROLLERCOASTER ARENA TOUR

LIVE AT THE O2, DUBLIN – NOVEMBER 7^th

AND NOW AN EXTRA DATE HAS BEEN ADDED DUE TO PHENOMENAL DEMAND ON NOVEMBER 9^th

TICKETS for the extra date are €39.50 on sale this Thursday May 3^rd @ 9am through www.ticketmaster.ie

Phone 0818 719 300

www.johnbishoponline.com

‘Hottest stand-up going’ – Daily Telegraph

‘One of the most popular comedians in the country’ – Mail on Sunday

‘This is a treat’ – The Times

‘A fabulously gifted comedian’ – The Mirror

‘One of this country’s biggest comedy stars.’ – Time Out

Due to phenomenal demand an extra date has been added for John Bishop’s ROLLERCOSTER Tour.  John will play Dublin’s O2 on Wednesday 7th November & now Friday November 9^th. Tickets for the extra date are €39.50 and go on sale this Thursday  at 9am through Ticketmaster and other usual outlets nationwide.

Following the phenomenal response to his super-human Sport Relief challenge which he completed in March and which raised a staggering total of £4 million for the charity (the largest figure ever raised by an individual in a single event), the demand for more dates with the funny man continues.

‘Unimprovable’ Daily Telegraph

Last year, John performed to over 400,000 fans in his nationwide sell-out Sunshine tour, topped the charts with the fastest selling debut stand-up DVD ever, and regularly broadcast into the homes of over 6.5m viewers throughout his primetime BBC One show, John Bishop’s Britain. But the public clearly haven’t seen enough of him yet, and so the ‘Comedy Superstar’ (Daily Telegraph) is back on the road later this year.

An irresistibly charismatic performer, John Bishop’s signature delivery and feel good material, have connected with audiences across the UK and Ireland to establish him as one of the nation’s most loved and sought after comedians.

John said, “I’m delighted to be taking the Rollercoaster Tour to Dublin’s O2 this year.  The missus will be glad to have me out of the house! It’s not every day you get the opportunity to do an arena tour, and it’s always humbling to come home and find that no one’s even noticed you’ve been gone. But in truth, it’s really exciting to get this opportunity and I can’t wait to get out on the road again. ”

Recent TV appearances include ‘John Bishop’s Britain’ (BBC One), series one & two; ‘A League of their Own’ (Sky One), ‘Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Road Show’ (BBC One), ‘Live at The Apollo’ (BBC One), guest host on ‘Have I got News For You’ (BBC Two).  John has also written, directed and starred in a short film in the series of Little Crackers which aired Christmas 2011 (Sky1).  John also stars in the second series of Jimmy McGovern’s Accused (BBC One) which broadcasts early summer.

For more information or interview requests for John Bishop

contact Sorcha @Entertainment Architects

+353 1 905 6381 / sorcha@ealtd.ie /www.entertainmentarchitects.ie/@EntArchs

‘Taste of Westport’ Festival Village announced!

Westport Festival of Music and Performing Arts

Saturday June 23^rd and Sunday June 24^th, 2012

Web: westportfestival.com / Facebook: Westport-Festival-of-Music-and-Performing-Arts / Tweet: @westportfest

Not content with an already epic line-up, Westport Festival of Music and Performing Arts have added even more musical treats to Ireland’s newest music and arts gathering! The festival takes place on Saturday June 23^rd and Sunday June 24^th on the lands of the fabulous Westport House in the heart of Westport town in Mayo. Announced today are hot new beat band The Strypes, leading Irish rock act The Walls, indie rising star Katie Kim, former Beautiful South chanteuse Briana Corrigan, Kopek – a great Irish band breaking in the US and synth merchants Electric Penguins.

The festival roll call is bulging with Irish and international artists, from Ray Davies (who plays a warm-up gig at the Roisin Dubh in Galway on June 22^nd) to Jools Holland and his special guest Marc Almond, Seasick Steve to Imelda May, The Chieftains to Beth Orton, Lloyd Cole and Horslips, Damien Dempsey and Macy Gray, The Dubliners to Tom Baxter, Duke Special to Alison Moyet and many, many more. Huge established international bands and the best new emerging Irish talent will take to three stages over the weekend of June 23^rd and 24^th, with music to suit all tastes and ages at the very reasonable ticket price of €75 for one day ticket and €130 for the two days. Children under 12 years of age are welcomed into the festival for free, once accompanied by a ticket holding adult aged 18 years or over, limited to two children per adult. Teens are also very welcome to attend the festival and the organizers have introduced a very special discounted ‘Junior Ticket’ for young people aged between 13 years and 16 years. One day tickets are priced at €40 while a weekend ticket for 13 – 16 year olds will cost just €70. See www.westport.com for more details regarding all the various ticket options.

Every festival-goer needs food! Your common or garden greasy chipper vans are banished from the Westport Festival site and in their place the wonderful Taste of Westport Food Village, which will run over both days serving foods sourced within the locality and showcasing the best and most delicious foods the region has to offer! Local food producers will be exhibiting and selling their wares including fresh baked goods, the best Mayo lamb direct from farmer to table, fresh Clew Bay mussels and oysters, award-winning local cheeses and much, much more. All of this along with cooking demonstrations from local chefs exhibiting their signature dishes and a series of friendly food forums which will cover topics such as How to cook and get the best out of your shellfish, What it means to be a local producer and getting your product to market, Mayo Lamb…The best in Europe, Different schools of cooking meats…and many more sumptuous foodie discussions for those who like their nosh as much as a mosh!

Get booking one of the many hotels and B&B’s in the Westport area but do it soon and avoid disappointment!  Make sure to avail of the special discounted accommodation and ticket offers available at selected hotels in the area for a limited time only!

Westport Festival of Music and Performing Arts is generously supported by Fáilte Ireland, Destination Westport and Mayo County Council.

Purchasing Tickets:

PHONE: Phone lines are open Monday to Friday between 9.30am – 5.30pm.

Rep of Ireland customers call 0818 333344

UK & Northern Ireland customers call 0844 5441010

International customers call +353 1 4038413

ONLINE: www.ticketgroup.ie

INSTORE: At any of 165 Xtra-Vision outlets across Ireland, stores open from 10.00am – 10.30pm, 7 days a week

ENDS

For further information on Westport Festival of Music and Performing Arts

please contact Aileen Galvin at Entertainment Architects on 01 9056382 / aileen@ealtd.ie www.entertainmentarchitects.ie

“Standing Tilted”

Brought to you by rising comedy star

Fred Cooke

(and special guests)

Live At The Workman’s Club July 21^st & 22^nd

“musical prowess” “hugely entertaining” CHORTLE

“Elevated to Hilarity” THE SCOTMAN.

“High octane, manic brand of surreal genius” THE MUNSTER EXPRESS

“I love Fred, I think he has the real spirit of the clown in him” TOMMY TIERNAN

Tickets €12 (including booking fee) on sale now  from www.ticketmasterie

Doors 8pm/Show 8:30pm

Fred Cooke makes his debut appearance in the Workman’s Club with his brand

new comedy show ‘Standing Tilted’ This July 21^st and 22^nd.Tickets are €12 on sale now through www.ticketmaster.ie

Fred realized at a young age that he would never become a professional footballer.

In his teen years it was becoming more unlikely of Radiohead accepting him in as their sixth member. It was this moment that he became a multi-award winning stand-up comedian

(even before his first gig).  Since that moment he has rapidly become a unique stand-up delivering a style of comedy that simply cannot be imitated.

Fred is most recognised as the main role as Fergus in a series of recent Spar ads – seen as one of the country’s most successful advertising campaigns of the last ten years! Fred has already contributed to a variety of successful Irish TV shows, both as a writer and performer, including RTE’s Republic of Telly, The Cafe (as The Crazy Chef), Watch Your Language (The Mad Professor), The Savage Eye, The Modest Adventures of David O’Doherty, and The Liffey Laughs.

Join Fred on the 21st or 22nd of July in The Workman’s Club for this years must see stand-up show.

Find Fred on Facebook or Twitter: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=625271492

www.twitter.com/cookefred www.fredcooke.ie

For more information or interview requests for Fred Cooke

contact Sorcha @Entertainment Architects

+353 1 905 6381 / sorcha@ealtd.ie /www.entertainmentarchitects.ie/@EntArcs

Special Eye Entertainment presents….

ARDAL O’HANLON

IRISH TOUR FOR MAY/JUNE 2012

Thurs, May 3 – The Pavillion, Dun Laoghaire.

Thurs, May 10 – An Grianan, Letterkenny.

Thurs, May 17th – Cork Opera House

Fri, May 18th – Model Arts Centre, Sligo.

Sat, May 19 – An Draoicht, Blanchardstown.

Wed, May 23 – Roscommon Arts Centre, Roscommon.

Thurs, May 24 – Solstice Theatre, Navan.

Fri, May 25th – The Thatch, Rahan.

Sat, May 26th – Iontas, Castleblaney.

Wed, May 30th – Mermaid Theatre, Bray.

Fri, June 1st – TF Royal, Castlebar.

Tues, June 6th – Civic Theatre, Tallaght.

Tickets from €20 – on-sale now

Doors 7.30pm / Show 8.30pm

“He flutters through a variety of topics with a poet’s eye for

inconsequential detail” – The Telegraph

“A joy to watch” – The Skinny

“Very Amusing” – The Guardian

“One of the most likeable and personable characters in stand-up”  – Irish Independent

“You could listen to O’Hanlon’s infectious self-effacement for hours” -  Irish Independent

Ardal O’Hanlon brings his unique stand-up show to the people of Ireland this May & June. Tickets for these unmissable shows are from €20 on sale now through www.ticketmaster.ie and available from the local venue box offices.

Ardal is Thoughtful, silly, but always punchy, he has delighted audiences on his recent tours of UK and Australia, talking about the things that matter – sex, religion, politics, family, childhood, Irishness – and things that don’t matter so much (did you know the frog is monogamous?)

Although best known for his starring roles in the sitcoms, Fr Ted (C4) and My Hero (BBC), Ardal’s vocation is as a stand-up comedian.

A founding father of Dublin’s Comedy Cellar, the spiritual home of Irish comedy, he moved to London where he quickly won the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year. Since then he has continued to perform to sell-out audiences around the world including tours of China and the USA. He presented the Stand Up Show on BBC for three series and recently featured on Live at the Apollo (BBC) and Michael McIntyre’s Roadshow (BBC) not to mention Dave’s One Night Stand (Dave). He has also appeared on The Graham Norton Show, Parkinson and The Late Late Show.

As well as Fr Ted, for which he won a British Comedy Award and Bafta nomination, Ardal’s TV credits include leading roles in comedy dramas such as Big Bad World (ITV) and the Ben Elton penned, Blessed (BBC). Recently, he played a cat creature in Dr Who (BBC) and a cameo part in Skins (C4). On RTE, Ardal has presented a number of documentaries including the celebrated Leagues Apart and recently starred in the sitcom Val Falvey TD.

He has written a bestselling novel, The Talk of the Town, which was included in the influential tome, 1001 Books to read before you die.

For further media information or interview requests please contact Comedy@EA:

Sorcha O’Flanagan: / 01 9056381

www.entertainmentarchitects.ie / @EntArchs