SELL OUT AGAIN FOR BARD

Another uproarious evening’s entertainment awaits on Friday 19 November at the Armagh City Hotel when an assortment of new odes will be aired for the first time.  Some of these will join the long list of much sought after Bard classics.  The range of topics at the finals is wide and includes issues such as the recession, wedding invitations, shopping, overeating, dieting, football and returning from the dead.  The organisers have stated that this will be the most competitive bard night yet with the quality of poems of the highest standard.  Can Liam McNally be the first to win the event for a third time in a row? Will Jimmy Rafferty win for a record fourth time?  Could Henry McGraths ‘Recession’ generate the greatest turn over of laughs or will a newcomer put on an irresistible performance?

The Bard of Armagh Festival is a truly alive and uplifting occasion. The bard night   diverts energies away from passive things such as TV soaps and other invasions from the modern shallow world and for many it is the true highlight of the year.

The performers, like their illustrious, revered predecessors are people with true talent, great wisdom, fortitude and outstanding powers of expression.

This year sees the Hall of Fame award going to the one and only Patsy O’Hagan and in memory of the late Rosemary Twohig there will be a special award for the best female performer on the night. Music is once again provided by The Boortree Men and this year they will be joined on stage by Pat Kelleher and Dan O’Sullivan, two outstanding balladeers from Cork.

.  Elegant, stylish, energiser of audiences, MC Pearse McBride will ensure that things run smoothly from start to finish and that the humour and good banter flows freely.  The event begins as usual at 8.00pm and patrons are advised to arrive early.

The lineup for the 2010 Bard finals is as follows.

Damian McGirr.                                  Not Another Summons.

Colette Corrigan.                               And God Made Man.

Henry McGrath.                                The Recession.

Tommy Murray.                                  On Being Politically Correct.

Margaret Heatley.                            Battling For a Bargain.

Jimmy Rafferty.                                Her Majesty’s Pleasure.

David Myles.                                       A Fat Cow Ruminates.

Colleen Downham.                              Lady GAA GAA.

Donal McKenna.                                 Cock a Doodle Do.

Liam McNally.                                                Sausages from St. Lukes.

Mary Byrne.                                       A Spring Chicken

Patrick Montague.                             I’m Dying To Know