One of the finest songwriters and performers of his generation, Declan O’Rourke has just announced a special intimate performance in Carrickmacross. This is a first in a series of shows at the beautiful surroundings of St. Finbarr’s Church in Carrickmacross.
Over the course of the summer the church will play host to some of Ireland’s finest modern musicians.
On Sunday June 24th Declan O’Rourke will kick off the showcase performing songs from his 3 Multi Platinum Albums. Declan came to Dublin in his mid-twenties and soon found himself trading songs with the likes of Damian Dempsey, Paddy Casey, Gemma Hayes, Damian Rice as well as other top Irish singer-songwriters.
In 2004, Declan released his debut album, Since Kyabram featuring the hit singles ‘Galileo (Someone Like You)’, Sarah, Your world and No Breaks. Such was the critical and commercial success of the album in Ireland that it opened the doors for him internationally, earning him plaudits from the likes of Paul Weller and Jonathan Ross, each of whom were rapturous in their praise of Declan’s deep-honey voice and astute song writing abilities.
His follow-up album in 2007, Big Bad Beautiful World, easily consolidated his appeal in Ireland as well as with his growing list of well-connected champions. Support slots followed in the UK and Europe to the likes of Snow Patrol, Teddy Thompson, The Cardigans, Paulo Nutini, Badly Drawn Boy, Divine Comedy and Paul Weller, and before too long major labels started calling, siren-like, for his signature on the dotted line. O’Rourke has since been through the major label mill and come out the other side – smiling (eventually!), we’re glad to say.
He’s a free man, then, with a free frame of mind, and a new record label he can, quite literally, call his own. And on his new record label he releases his third album and first independent offering, MAG PAI ZAI, which sees him maturing as a songwriter in ways he would, most likely, have never thought possible.
MAG PAI ZAI, released in April ’11, managed to top the success of Declan’s first two albums, holding its own in the top 10 for four consecutive weeks. ‘A Little Something,’ the album’s debut single, received much airplay, climbing to the no. 2 spot in the Today FM Top 40. Both singles released to date, ‘A Little Something,’ and ‘Time Machine’ were Single of the Week.
Today his songs have been covered by many artists including Josh Groban, Eddie Reader, Mary Byrne, Brian Kennedy, Maura O’Connell, Paul Weller (The Jam), The Celtic Tenners.
Declan recently performed at the BBC Last Night of the Proms with the Ulster Orchestra in Castle Park, Bangor and with the RTÉ National Concert Orchestra in the National Concert Hall, Dublin. He has toured extensively in Europe, America, Australia and continues to be one of the most sought after performers in Ireland.
In St. Finbarrs Church, Declan will be accompanied by violin and cello as he performs in this unique, intimate setting. Tickets €25 are available from Keegans Newsagents and Hughes Coffee shop Carrickmacross and are selling fast so book now to avoid disappointment.
