Nov18th

From the Cradle to the Stage

From the Cradle to the Stage by Alan Swan is one of the most exciting books on Irish music to be released in years and proceeds from its sale will go to Fighting Blindness. This publication is expected to be the ultimate stocking filler for Irish music lovers this Christmas. From traditional to classic and from rock to pop it has something for
everyone with a wide variety of artists including The Corrs (Jim Corr), Damien Rice, Juliet Turner, The Devlins, The Frames, Moya Brennan, Ronnie Drew, MIKE HANRAHAN, James Galway, Samantha Mumba, Christy Moore, The Cranberries (Fergal Lawler), The Chieftains (Paddy Maloney), Paul Brady, Ronan Keating, Westlife (Mark Feehily), David Holmes and Ash contributing directly.

For further information on PR for From the Cradle to the Stage please
contact: Sarah Conroy, Poolbeg on 01 806 3825 or sarahconroy@poolbeg.com
www.fightingblindness.ie

OCT 22nd

Hello again,
Thanks to all those of you who came to the shows in Germany. We had a great
time. Ronnie has announced that next year's German tour will be his last. He
is talking of retiring and taking things a little easier. I still do not
believe him but time will tell. Judging from the energy level on the recent
tour I cannot see him even close to retirement. Watch this space. We have
recorded a few tours now and we hope to release a Live CD sometime in the
middle of next year. We will spend the next few months listening to the
recordings. Ronnie will also record a studio album in the new year and he
wishes to record as many of his favourite old Irish songs as is possible. It
should be fun.

On the home front I am back out on the road in November. I will keep you
posted. Stocktons Wing show will be a sell out and there is great interest.

I just read Michael Moore Stupid White Men. What a read. Every home should
have one. Check out his web site www.michaelmoore.com
Talk to you soon
Mike

October 6th

Hello,
Been a busy summer and now its back to the autumn schedule with a few gigs to keep me busy.
Ronnie and I are off to Germany on Oct 10th for a few gigs. Dates are posted on the tour page.
Looking forward to our annual trip which is always a treat. Manuela and Rainer have put together some great dates.
Although I have not posted any news for a few months I have been keeping in touch by e-mail with all of you who
took time out to make contact.
Other great news is the reunion gig for Stocktons Wing in Ennis on November 8th at the West County Hotel in Ennis, Co.Clare. All proceeds go to charity and the line up will be Tommy Hayes, Paul Roche, Maurice Lennon , my brother Kieran and myself. Its been almost twenty years since this line up played together and I still remember the good times and great music. It was the time of beautiful Affair, Walk Away and the Belltable Waltz. We toured throughout Europe and the States in various clapped out transport vehicles and went to some wonderful venues and festivals. The gig in Ennis will be special. All of us are very excited and rearing to play the music.
Further details are available on the tour page.
Ronnie is taking time out working on his memoirs and it gives me a chance to play some Irish dates. I will be in Charleville on the 21st of November and will keep you posted on all other venues as they are confirmed The Kings in Waterford for Nov12th is also confirmed. Crusheen on November 22nd
I will be in Holland at the end of November and I am hoping to put some gigs together with Ger Wolfe for early December.
Until the next time take care. Oh Yeah I went to see the Stones in Concert. What a gig, what a band and what energy. Nice to see the old boys are still well up to the task and they gave us a great lesson on how to have a good time on stage.
All the best and thanks for calling.
Mike

July 4th

Hello,
It’s been a few months since I posted some news. Time moves so quickly but I have had the pleasure of a long overdue holiday to relax and enjoy the time out.
I am working on a tour for September and I have also started writing some new songs. I hope to bring the songs to the studio by the end of the summer. Ace guitar man Derek Nelson resurrected my old electric guitar and I am enjoying playing it again. It’s been too long and technology has moved on so far since the days of Stockton’s Wing. It’s incredible to hear the array of sound effects available and very interesting for some of the new songs. I have also become the proud owner of a Gibson Tenor guitar, which is taking me to all sorts of musical places. Some of the gig highlights have been Mountshannon Arts Festival and Mother redcaps with John Spillane. John is such a great performer and a superb writer.
The weather here in Dublin is typical summer….rain. So it’s always a good time to catch up with some new music and I am currently listening to the new EELS CD, which is on constant play. A superb album and they play Dublin next week so I look forward to the gig. I like the new Radiohead Cd and the Frames live is fantastic. Mundy’s 24 star hotel is still a regular and I never tire of the great songs.
Ronnie and I are back on the road but have been busy getting started on his biography. It’s a mammoth task and he is difficult to get moving but in recent weeks he is far more focussed and producing some great writing. I think the book has great potential. I have also been busy going through hours of live recordings we made in Germany and Holland. We hope to have something to release by the autumn. So while I have neglected the site I have been keeping busy.
In May we played the Rory Gallagher tribute weekend in Ballyshannon in Co. Donegal and we listened to so many great bands play Rory’s music. It’s early days for the festival and I wish them well with next years programme. Rumour has it that they want Ronnie to return. You should put it in your diary for next year at the end of May.
I will be back in Germany with Ronnie in October and I will be in Holland on my own at the end of November. There is a chance that Siard De Jong may turn up for the odd gig. I am working on it as a priority. I will keep you posted.
So hope the summer is keeping you happy.
Until the next time
Best Wishes and thanks for calling.
Mike

April 24th
Hi,
Ronnie and I have been playing a few gigs around Ireland. The venues have been great and the reaction from the audience very warm and Ronnie is in great form. We have not performed the show for a while and it seems refreshed with new stories and songs. We take the show to the UK in May and dates will be posted soon on the Tour Page.
On May 3rd I share the stage with John Spillane at Mother Redcaps. John is a powerful singer/songwriter and I look forward to the gig. He has a great song called The Cherry tree, which is an anthem to all that is good in life.
A few people have been wondering about the next album. I have started to put some ideas down and I hope to record here at home, at my leisure, and try to experiment a little with sound and texture. The next bunch of songs will take me on another journey and I am all set for wherever they decide to go.
A friend of mine gave me his Gibson tenor guitar to play and I have since discovered an underworld of Tenor guitarists on the web. They are almost like a different race of people. The Gibson is beautiful and I hope after a few months I will do it justice and knock out a few decent tunes. It was built in 63’ and develops character with each passing day. Some interesting projects on the horizon.
May 28th I perform at the
INISCEALTRA FESTIVAL OF ARTS MOUNTSHANNON CO CLARE with Siobhan Donnellan with Cliodhna Donnellan
On the 30th May I play at the Rory Gallagher Festival in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal with Ronnie Drew. That’s something to really look forward to. There are some great tracks on the recently released Gallagher CD of out takes and sessions with various players.
Meanwhile I am writing music for a new cartoon. This is an interesting project with different discipline, a new approach and a lot of fun.
Ronnie and I head for New York on June 1st for a two week run at the Irish Arts Centre. Its been a while since we played in the big apple and I look forward to spending some time there and catching up with some old friends.
My good friend Shay Healy is directing a video of the Ronnie Drew Show over the coming weeks and should be complete by early summer.
So that’s enough to keep me going. I will post the upcoming dates in a day or so. Meanwhile, thanks for calling,
Mike

March 15th.
Hello,
We had a great time in Holland. Siard De Jong joined us for the tour and my good pal Mark Gilligan tour managed the trip. We had lots of laughs and some great gigs. The Paridiso in Amsterdam. What a venue. I saw Dire Straits play there in 1977.You can almost feel the ghosts of times past humming sweet music from every crack and crevice. I do not like to single out venues but this one is special. Ronnie was in great form and I hope we can get back there soon. Diba promoted and they are at www.diba.nl. I will keep you posted on future tours. Thanks to all the people who came out to support the tour.

The Irish "What You Know " tour was great and thanks to all who came to the shows and a sincere thanks for all the e-mails flowing in here to the site with kind wishes and words of encouragement. All local radio and RTE 1 played and supported the tour. I thank them sincerely. I do not know what you have to do to get on to those FM stations that are hell bent on playing so much dross and refuse to give Irish artists a fair crack of the whip. I tried and tried and tried and then tired. Could it be possible that I have got it all so wrong and perhaps I should concentrate my writing efforts on cloning eurovisioned ditties on world peace and puppy love.
I did read a nice review of the CD in Hot Press. That has to be a first. Maybe I am on the right track after all.
The Blair / Bush project is still simmering despite the great marches all over the globe. There are too many good things going on in the world to be damaged or destroyed by war. Our world is definitely on the brink of Falling Down but hopefully good sense will prevail and peace will remain in control.
While in Holland I went to visit the War Memorial at Oosterbeig , near Arnhem. It was an eerie experience made more so by the presence of young army recruits in training, roaming the very streets where such a bloody conflict took place all those years ago. It was a strange day. So many young people lost their lives in that area. Their memory is well preserved and respected.
Meanwhile, not to leave on a sad note……PADDYS DAY is here folks.
The friendly sons of the Shillelagh will be out in force. Dublin plans a great weekend and this will be my first year with no gig on Paddys Day. Over the years I have celebrated the day in Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Boston, Amsterdam, Den Haag, Sydney, Melbourne, London, Manchester, Dusseldorf, Dublin, Paris and this year I will be in my local pub here in Dublin enjoying the festivities over a pint of my favourite brew. Aye and Begorrah and the Top o’ the Morning to Ya. I wish you all a good time wherever you are planning to celebrate the great day.
Thanks for calling,
Mike

Feb 10th.
Hi,
We have had a little difficulty with the e-mail service but its all sorted now thanks to MBE the site designers. If you have any questions or suggestions please let me know.
The tour is moving along nicely and I am enjoying the gigs and the people who run the gigs are fantastic. Its great to be back performing in Ireland. Its been seven years since I took to the stage in my own right and I sincerely hope it will not be seven more before I do it all again. Siard is coming from Amsterdam for a couple of shows and they should be special.
Talk to you soon and apologies to all of you who had difficulty with the mail service.
The letterbox is once again open for biz.
Thanks for calling,
Mike

Click photos to enlarge
Mike with Eleanor Shanley, Ronnie Drew, Siard De Jong and Steve Flaherty	Mike & Ronnie Live at the Holiday Inn Dublin Feb 2003

20th January 2003
Press Release

DINKY RECORDS
PRESENTS
MIKE HANRAHAN - LIVE

Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer, Mike Hanrahan , takes to the road in February promoting his recently released CD "What You Know" on Dinky Records.
In recent years Mike has concentrated all solo work on the continent leaving a seven-year gap since his last Irish tour.
As the Evening Herald says on his new CD " It’s been a long time but this fine collection was worth waiting for"
And The Galway Advertiser
"Hanrahan shows he has lost none of his ability as a fine songwriter"
Long time vocalist, songwriter and guitarist with the legendary Stockton’s Wing, he joined the band in 1979 staying with them until he decided to pursue a solo career in 1995. Throughout his time with Stockton’s Wing, Mike was responsible for many of the bands most successful songs including ‘Beautiful Affair’, Walk Away, Avondale and many more. Recently Beautiful Affair was selected as one of RTEs Top 75 Irish Songs in the history of the station. In 1997 he joined forces with Ronnie Drew for the theatre show "Ronnie I Hardly Knew Ya", and produced Ronnies "The humour is on me now" which the pair toured extensively throughout Europe, USA and UK. He continues to work with Ronnie and they have a heavy tour schedule for the coming year.The new album What You Know, a collection of 11 new songs, sees Mike once again in fine song-writing form with some stunning solo compositions as well as co-writes with Sonny Condell, Brendan Graham, Shay McNelis and Eamon Murray.
Although a relatively unknown entity as a solo performer in this country Mike has spent the last few years developing his show and a growing audience in Germany, Holland , Switzerland and Belgium.

Jan 13th 2003

Happy New Year to everyone. Hope all the Christmas and 2003 celebrations went well.
The February tour is fast approaching and I am looking forward to the gigs. I will share the bill with Sonny Condell on Feb 6th in Roscommon, Siard De Jong is coming from Amsterdam and Steve Flaherty from Ennis ( Two of my favourite musicians ) to help me out at the Dublin Gig on the 11th. There will be a few more friends at the Dublin gig which is a sort of a homecoming since I have lived here for so long now. Its at The Holiday Inn City Centre on Pearse Street. It’s a great venue. Other venues are, the wonderful St Johns Theatre in Listowel, De Barras in Clonakilty, The Folk Club in Waterford with Liam Merriman, Hennigans in Sligo, A new gig in Headford called Cambells, Heineys, home to my good pal Danny Guinan, The much talked about Granary in Killarney, The Moving Stairs in Boyle and I finish with Steve at the Spa in Lisdoonvarna with my old and dear friend Paddy Doherty. It’s only right to finish with a gig in Clare. Speaking of Clare I hear that The Folk Club in Crusheen is opened once again. Its where Maura O’ Connell and I first began singing all those years ago back when Bush was something you found in a field and not on a warpath. Ideally he should return to his natural habitat. Meanwhile best of luck to Frank in Crusheen.
Sonny Condell and I are getting a few songs together for the gig on the 6th.
There is talk of another tour with Ronnie and Eleanor Shanley.
Ronnie and I are working with Keith Donald on Ronnie’s biography.
We are also going to record the theatre show for DVD and this should happen in a few months time.
Ronnie and I are on the trail to Holland in February and we will be also having the mighty Siard on fiddle for the entire trip. We are in London for Paddy’s Day. My God Paddy’s Day already. Would you believe it? Time is whizzing by. So much to do this year and looking forward to it all. Better get on with it. Hope the year 2003 brings all that you deserve.
Best Wishes and thanks for calling.
Mike

Dec 19th 2002

Just a quick note to wish everyone a happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year. The Irish tour is posted on the site and we will have the tour dates with Ronnie Drew early in the new year. It will be a busy year with work in the UK, USA , Germany and Holland. Thanks for calling and I shall be back in my cyber chair in the new year. Meanwhile I am off to toast the Christmas cheer and enjoy a welcome vacation. All the best,
Mike

Dec 2nd 2002

Christmas is just around the corner. 2002 is almost done. Where has the time gone. Normally I am in Europe at this time of the year and as I think about it I miss the Christmas markets , the hot wine, all the decorations, St Nicklaus , the shoppers, the cold wind and of course, the gigs.
I should have Irish tour dates for Feb soon. I am looking forward to getting back playing in Ireland. It’s been a long time since I performed as a solo artist at home and I have no doubt it will be great. Last Sunday’s gig was fantastic and I got to hear the wonderful Dawn Kenny. Ben Glover, from Belfast, was also on the bill and he too was excellent. I have been playing their respective CD’s and I highly recommend a listen. As well as that I read a really nice review of the album in the Galway Advertiser. I like it when a reviewer actually listens and gets what we were attempting. I never mind considered criticism but cynical and blatant personal attack certainly puts me in a spin. Rise above it, they say, I wish I had the wings.
Ronnie and I are very busy next year. He finishes with The Dubliners on the 28th of December here in Dublin at The Point Depot. We play Holland in March, Ireland in April, UK in May and The Irish Theatre New York in June for a couple of weeks. It will be exciting to be back on stage once again with the maestro and I have no doubt the coming year will bring many good times and lots of great gigs. In between I intend to play as many solo gigs as possible. I will keep you up to date on all the news.
Thanks to everyone for all the e-mails, the kind words, the requests, the stories and the interest. It is all greatly appreciated. Keep them coming. Have a glass of Glu Wein for me and enjoy the coming festivities.
Thanks for calling in,
Mike

Nov 16th 2002

Hi , I play my first gig in Ireland next Sunday 25th. November at the Holiday Inn on Pearce Street. I have not played here as a solo artist for a number of years and I am really looking forward to the night. Duncan Maitland, and Dawn Kenny are also on the bill and its a songwriters night sponsored by the hotel in association with IMRO.
We have started putting gigs together for February and its looking good. It will be an extensive tour. I will perform as a solo artist for most of the gigs but there will be the odd occasion when Sonny Condell and his band will
join me on the stage. Its all very exciting.
The CD is on vacation at present while the big boys fight for space and loot over the Christmas madness. If you are having difficulty then I suggest you try the shop here on site. Very friendly people and extremely efficient and you will not have to wade through oceans of Best Of's and definitive collections. I wonder what percentage of Christmas Stress related illnesses occur in the halls and corridors of major Record Company offices.
The good news is that my CD will be back in calmer waters in January gently gliding by the Christmas casualty list sprawled on the riverbank. A great adage comes to mind, They also serve those who stand and wait.
Talk to you soon,
Mike

Nov 1st 2002

Hi,
I am delighted that so many people are visiting the site. I am becoming the true Web master and checking in whenever I can. I am just back from the German tour with Ronnie and it was a great success. Every town has its own Cyber cafe and they are great places to sit, work on the site, reply to the mail and keep myself updated on all the news back in Ireland. Some might say why bother with the news at all because its so depressing but hey its news and not all bad. It also gives me a chance to browse other sites and find out what some of my fellow travellers are up to.
The Tour was fantastic and I played some of the new songs. Singing a song live always brings something else out and over time a new song takes on a whole new meaning by the end of the tour. The audience at the gigs were super and as for Ronnie well he is in better shape than I have ever seen or heard him considering he has had such a hectic year touring with the Dubliners as they celebrate their fortieth year in business. I should have
some pics of the tour by next week.
I met some great people but one guy Sebastian, a carpenter is travelling for three years and a day in the old German tradition I used to read about in the Herman Hesse novels all those years ago. He travels from town to town and people take him in ,feed him and he in turn works and learns the art of carpentry at the local workshop and eventually he will be accepted as a full member of the Guild. He wears traditional suit and abides by the old rules. Its great that in a world so caught up in its fascination with innovation there is still plenty of room for tradition. Happy travels Sebastian.
I read a couple of Dermot Bulger novels on the road and I think he has the finger on the pulse, especially The Valparaiso Trail, a super story and so relevant to modern day Ireland.
I will be in Holland at the end of Feb after my Irish tour and dates will be posted well in advance. Keep well and thanks for callin'
Mike

Sept 30th 2002
Hello and welcome to my home out here in cyberspace. I will keep you updated with news and views here and if you have any comments , questions or opinions please Email to info@mikehanrahan.com
On the 27th of this month I launch the new CD "WHAT YOU KNOW" on my new label Dinky Records. Produced by my long time friend Sonny Condell it’s a new collection of recently written songs.
Its been eight years since I recorded my last CD and its been too long. I have talked about it so many times over the years but at last I have a result. Recording was great fun and very creative. I had a great band, a super engineer and I had Sonny as the producer. In a few weeks I head off to promote the CD on Irish Radio and TV.
I will be in Germany in October with Ronnie Drew and dates are on the gig page.
I have just secured the rights to my first CD 'SOMEONE LIKE YOU' (1995) and it is now signed to Dinky Records. I am reworking the sleeve and it will be available within the month.
I had a query on the CD sleeve for What You Know. The artist is a friend of mine Stephen Taylor and he painted from an idea I had. He is not a professional artist …yet but he is talented. My great friend Shay Kennedy designed and created the sleeve from Stephen’s painting. Shay worked so hard on this project. Shay designed my last CD and a couple of Stockton‘s Wing along with a fair share of Mary Black CD’s.
He is dedicated to his work and deserves most of the credit for the "What You Know" sleeve. Mick Barry, who created and designed the web site uses an idea of Shay’s as background to the web site. Mick used to work with me in Stockton’s. What can I say.. my world is small and I find it very comfortable that way.
Talk to you soon
Mike

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