When I was growing up in Dublin City, some years ago, one of my early passions was for the building and flying of Model Aircraft. I was particularly fascinated by Jet Propulsion, and the only place in town to buy kits for Jet engines, was a shop called Helys of Dame Street. I checked out what used to be Helys today, and the building is still there in all it's glory, but it's now called the Mercantile Hotel, complete with Bar and a beautiful live music venue. On Tuesday next I will be back there to play a Gig with Clem and Dick as the Niall Toner Band. Somehow it feels like 'completing a circle' of some kind, and I am hoping that lots of my friends and supporters will show up for the event. I am also very proud of the fact that our special guest on the night will be my eldest Son, Niall Toner Jnr., and it's a great opportunity for folks to come an hear Niall's great original songs. Further details are on our website, and tickets are also available from www.flattop.com
Last Sunday I attended the Funeral of a great friend and colleague, Larry Roddy, and it was very gratifying to see that he got such a send off from his multitude of friends and admirers. I had known Larry since we were introduced by Terry Woods in 1972, after a Woods Band gig in Liberty Hall. Larry wrote the sleeve notes to my first recording, First Thrust, in 1973, and promoted many gigs for me and my various Bands over the years. On Tuesday night at the Mercantile, we will be dedicating a couple of Gospel songs to Larry. R.I.P. Niall.
