Shannon Airport - Sharon Shannon

Sharon Shannon to play live at Shannon Airport.
All roads lead to Shannon on Friday night, December 13th as Ireland’s ‘first lady’ of traditional music Sharon Shannon has been confirmed as the headline act for the Airport’s annual ‘thank-you’ event to the region for its support during the year.
The event, which is free to the public, will see the hugely popular and gifted instrumentalist, who has internationalised accordion playing like no other over the past 20 years, deliver her lively set to 800 plus guests.Shannon will be accompanied by Alan O’Connor - a multi-instrumentalist who plays percussion, guitar, piano and also sings - and the duo will perform all her hits, including Galway Girl, Blackbird, Coridinio as well as new material and a selection from her back catalogue. 
Twelve months ago Shannon’s brother Garry took to the same stage with the Kilfenora Ceili band at the 2012 airport celebration, which also thrilled a packed audience.Sharon, winner of the Lifetime Achievement award at the Meteor Music Awards, herself recently launched her 21st anniversary collection, The Definitive Sharon Shannon, and has just completed hugely successful US and UK tours.Looking ahead to the concert, Shannon said: “I’ve had a busy year, not least over recent months with the launch of the album and tour, but I am so looking forward to getting home for this show.  I know from talking to my brother Garry about last year’s event that it is really a special night at the airport.“We all have a great affinity with Shannon and I couldn’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve flown from there. 

It will be great to be bringing the instruments there for a gig instead of a flight,” she added.Shannon Airport Director Mary Considine predicted a special night at the event.  “This really is a special night for us as every year at the airport as we say thank-you to the region by putting on this free event to everyone who has supported us this past year. 
It’s been a remarkable 12 months for the airport in so many respects and having Sharon Shannon here to celebrate that has a great ring to it".“It should be a fantastic night but I would urge people to get their tickets early as there’s huge interest in the event already and that’s before we’ve even started promoting it.”Supporting acts for the multi-award winning Ruan native include Galway Irish folk singer/songwriter Don Stiff, whose debut album "Start of a Dream" was released to critical acclaim.  His version of the "Dimming of the Day", by Richard Thompson won vocal cut of the year from the live Ireland Awards in 2010. 
Don has previously shared a stage with Shannon, at none other than the Volvo Ocean Race in his native Galway when they performed in front of an estimated 50,000 people.  The Galway man will open the show at 8.30 p.m. and will be followed by hugely popular Roscommon folk act, Vinegar Bill   The quintet have a particularly strong following in their native Roscommon and throughout the West of Ireland and are recognised widely in folk-circles as amongst the most authentic folk groups to emerge in recent years.
Tickets for the event are available at the Shannon Airport Information Desk and from Clare FM, Galway Bay FM and Tipp FM reception desks.     

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