Longford all set for First Fridays

An initiative to inject vibrancy into Longford's Friday nights takes off next weekend.

First Fridays is a programme of late night music, comedy, dance and public art that will be showcased on the first Friday of every month in Longford Town.

This is an exciting new venture that will run from April to October. The programme is coordinated by Backstage Theatre in partnership with Longford County Council, with funding support from the Arts Council and Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

This aim of the initiative is to bring people into the county town to enjoy a ‘no hassle’ night of enjoyment and entertainment in pubs and venues in Longford Town.

First Fridays kicks off with a stellar line up of diverse entertainment. The headline of the programme is the Declan Nerney concert at Backstage Theatre on Friday April 5.

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This will see Declan and a super live band with special guests John McNicholl and John Hogan for a nostalgic night of music, song and laughter.

Other performances on the night are a free performance by 23 year old Emily Doyle at the Tally Ho bar on New Street at 9.30pm . Emily is a singer songwriter who writes her own acoustic and indie songs with hints of pop.

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At the same time Omen perform a free gig at The Gaelic Corner (formerly Hughie Doyles). Omen is a joint creative endeavour consisting of Siofra Jordan, Conor Lane and Shane Kennedy.

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The final offering will be at Edward J. Valentines on Main St, where Brian Kiernan, accompanied by Aidan Gray, presents his wistful, folk, narrative songs from Longford.