The 2010 Lough Gur story telling festival will run from Friday Oct 22 to bank holiday Monday inclusive. With an impressive line up to include Sean Keane, Karl Spain along with Miriam Lambert, of the incredible Lambert family fame, Galway Circus with their Sorceas Beag performance and an enviable line up for the Saturday night to include the winner of the National Schools story telling festival, Mike Glynn as MC for the night, introducing Little John Nee, Con Fada O'Drisceoil and Orla Harrington dancer and violinist.

You can also partake in Michael Quinlans mystery historic bus tour, the destination is, as always a mystery!!!

Sean Keane

Seán Keane from County Galway is decribed as the `greatest musical find of the 90`s` by `The London Independent`.  Traditional Irish, folk and even country and blues songs all lend themselves to his unique style and unforgettable voice. 

After a short flirtation with the theatre he played  in the Druid production of the `Midnight Court` and the Abbey Theatre`s `Sheep`s Milk on the Boil`, Seán embarked on his solo career in 1993.  `All Heart , No Roses` received rave reviews and was chosen as `Debut Folk Album of the Year` by Q Magazine. In the years following, success continued with Meteor Award nominations, `Best Male Folk Performer` from Irish Music Magazine  (three times) ,a similar award  from the London `Irish World`,as well as numerous Irish accolades. `A Portrait`, a collection of Seán`s songs, is a multi-platinum Irish seller. All of his solo albums are platinum sellers and remain in constant demand.

Six solo albums later, Seán Keane continues to delight audiences all over the world with his live performances and recorded work. He tours regularly with his band in Ireland, Austria, Germany, the US and Canada as well as appearing at major festivals world-wide. Sean will perform at the Lough Gur story telling in the Honeyfitz Theatre on Friday October 22nd 2010. Bookings 087 285 2022. Tickets €20

Little John Nee

Little John Nee

Nee was born in Glasgow but returned to his parents home in Oldtown, Letterkenny, County Donegal at the age of twelve. He was educated at St Eunan's College in the town. He currently lives in Tuam, County Galway

Nee was given his stage name by his father who was a Little Richard fan. He founded the first punk band in County Donegal in 1976. They were known as Joe Petrol and the Petrol Bombs. He also spent some time as a labourer on the building sites in London. He later moved to Dublin and began imitating Charlie Chaplin on Grafton Street In 1986 he took up position in a caravan in Barna.

Nee has made appearances in many films such as Neil Jordan's High Spirits. He played the Toupee man in An Everlasting Piece. He was nominated for the Helen Hayes Award for his performance in The Derry Boat. Nee also played the part of Postie in TG4 silent comedy Fear an Phoist. He has appeared at Electric Picnic, Galway Arts Festival and the Earagail Arts Festival. In August 2007, Nee announced his obsession with the ukulele while on RTÉ Radio 1 presenter Dave Fanning's show, Drivetime with Dave.

Don't miss Orla Harrington

Co. Clare Violinist Orla Harrington released her debut solo album "Melting Snow" in 2009. Carrying on a family tradition, Orla learnt music under the tuition of Paula O'Regan and over the years has developed a unique style and sound. She combined this with a successful career in Irish dance. She grew up entertaining locally, at international festivals and as far as Broadway. She has toured as a solo violinist with Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance. More recently Orla has been performing at festivals in Ireland, the UK and Europe concentrating on the more organic style of fiddle playing she grew up with.   
 

Renowned Storyteller Mike Glynn joins us from Sixmilebridge. Mike is a regular performer at the Lough Gur storytelling Festival and never fails to captivate the crowd with his humorous stories of Ireland in the not so distant past. Mike will be our MC on the night.

Prepare to hurt your sides laughing

Karl Spain recently celebrated ten years in Stand Up comedy. From Limerick, this is Karls first time to perform at the Lough Gur Storytelling festival.

In 2010 he will tour Australia as well as the U.S. and will tour South Africa in the Summer.

Karl is probably best known in Ireland for his TV series Karl Spain Wants A Woman which was a huge success in that he not only got huge ratings but he also found himself a woman. In 2009 he filmed Karl Spain Wants to Rock but didn't manage to get a woman from that show.
Apart from his own series he has also performed stand up on television all over the world – the U.S, the Middle East, Australia and even as far away as England.

He regularly does corporate gigs and spends all his money on sweets and comics.

He has performed at every Kilkenny Cat Laughs festival since 2002.

Karl Spain will perform at the Honeyfitz Theatre on Sunday October 23rd at 8pm, along with support. Tickets €20. 087 2852022