25 years after the smash success of duo Frances Black and Kieran Goss, details have been announced of a nationwide Reunion tour, with dates across Ireland scheduled in January 2018. Since the days of their partnership, both Frances and Kieran have enjoyed huge international success in their respective solo careers, but it was the inspired pairing of these two unique talents as a duo in the early nineties that first caught the imagination of the Irish public. Last year's tour not only sold out venues all around the country, it also showed that the duo hadn't lost any of their magic. Kieran explains: "It had been a long time since we worked together and we were both nervous, but from the very first song of the first show we knew we had made the right decision. The audience sang every song with us; it was like a meeting up of old friends and both Frances and I loved every minute of it. We're delighted to be given this opportunity of playing more shows together. We may even turn it into an annual event!" Booking: 04493-47777/mullingarartscentre.ie

Derek Ryan continues to maintain his position at the top table of Irish Country Music’s elite with his brand of original material and country classics. His recent number one album ‘The Fire’ spawned the hits ‘Heaven Tonight’ and ‘Homeland’ which will be featured along with his many classics ‘Hold On To Your Hat’, ‘God’s Plan’ and ‘Life Is A River’ during this concert tour. The show highlight is considered the moment the band and performance is stripped back, where Derek is left alone with his guitar on stage. This, to Derek, is a chance for his audience to get to know him better, and know more about the music. Tickets: €30.00 Booking: 04493-47777/mullingarartscentre.ie

Following their successful run of Back To The 80's last year, the talented students from St. Joseph's Secondary School Rochfortbridge return this year with Honk! Based on Hans Christian Andersen's beloved story, "The Ugly Duckling," Honk! tells the story of an odd-looking baby duck, Ugly, and his quest to find his mother. Soon after Ugly is born, he is seduced away by a wily Cat who wants to eat Ugly for dinner. Eventually, Ugly manages to escape, but has no idea how to return home. He embarks on an adventure in which he encounters a beautiful swan, Penny, tangled in a fishing line. After saving her, the two birds fall in love. Penny, however, must return to her flock and fly south for the winter. Determined to find his family, Ugly journeys on, only to become frozen in the snow. Eventually, Ugly's mother finds him and her warm tears manage to thaw him out. He revives, and is surprised to discover he is now a handsome swan! Soon, Ugly is reunited with Penny and two swans decide to live the rest of their days in the same pond as Ugly's loyal mother. Booking: 04493-47777/mullingarartscentre.ie

It was 30 years ago this year that ‘In Tua Nua’ supported U2 on the European leg of The Joshua Tree Tour. The band toured extensively throughout Europe and the US during the 1980's promoting their albums "Vaudeville" and "The Long Acre". During the 80s In Tua Nua had 9 top 20 singles here in Ireland. One of Ireland's premier live acts, they shared stages with Bob Dylan (Slane), Fleetwood Mac, and Eurythmics to name but a few while also opening on stadium tours for Simple Minds and of course U2. In Tua Nua reformed for some gigs in 2004 and then again in 2012 when they played The Electric Picnic. What have they been up to? Lead singer ‘Leslie Dowdall’ released two solo albums and had a smash hit with her song ‘Wonderful Thing’. Leslie tours Ireland constantly with wing man Mike Hanrahan and plays regularly in Spain also. Singer/drummer ‘Paul Byrne’ who wrote the majority of ITN songs released his critically acclaimed solo album ‘Cruel & Tender Ways’ in 2014. Also is a member of The Drays and The Guilty Party. Bassist ‘Jack Dublin’ formed the studio project Audiokiss. Their album was successful in Italy while recent single ‘I Don’t Wanna Say’ featuring Megan Burke charted in the US digital charts. Paul and Jack first played together in Deaf Actor in 1980 before forming In Tua Nua in 1983. They have since been banging out beats for Rocky de Valera and The Gravediggers, The Guilty Party and Shane McGowan and The Shane Gang making them one of Ireland’s longest running rhythm sections. The new line up includes Rosie MacKenzie, a talented young fiddle player from Nova Scotia based in Dingle, Sarge O’Hara ex The Mod Ls on Keys and Dave McGinley ex Eugene on Guitar. In 2012 Leslie, Paul and Jack went into the studio and re-recorded a version of ‘All I Wanted’. Their most successful single from the 80s, it had reached number 69 in the UK charts and became a college radio hit across the US. Other notable singles were ‘Seven Into The Sea’, ‘Heaven Can Wait’, ‘Somebody To Love’, ‘Coming Thru’ and ‘Don’t Fear Me Now’. Also, in 2012 Virgin/EMI released the albums ‘Vaudaville’ and ‘The Long Acre’ on iTunes and Spotify.Booking: 04493-47777/mullingarartscentre.ie

All For Me Grog brings you the song and story of Ireland's most successful folk band The Dubliners. Presented by The Liberties who in replicating the original line-up of Ronnie Drew, Luke Kelly, Barney McKenna, Garan Burke and John Sheahan with the exact same instrumentation bring to the stage a show of uncanny similarity to The Dubliners, the original and wonderful voice of Ronnie Drew is brought to life by Wayne Wilder who is probably the best Ronnie Drew tribute in the world. With his red hair and beard, banjo maestro James Callagher's powerful voice is so close to that of Luke Kelly's it has to be a fluke of nature. The Black Velvet Band, Follow Me Up To Carlow, The Irish Rover, The Spanish Lady, McAlpines Fusileers, Seven Drunken Nights etc will have you clapping your hands and stomping your feet at this uplifting two hour show of ballads and craic. Booking: 04493-47777/mullingarartscentre.ie

Former children and regular eaters Foil Arms & Hog are back with the Irish premiere of their new show OinK. OinK is a fast paced sketch show featuring a collection of songs for the elderly, a baggage handler’s interpretive dance and a shop that naively sells only balaclavas. The show has yet to be reviewed but when it is, it will be “utterly spellbinding” and “a triumph”. Best known for their YouTube videos (50 million online hits), their live show is what they’re most proud of. Foil, Arms & Hog sold out Mullingar Arts Centre and are back in the new year with not one but two shows in Mullingar Arts Centre. Booking: 04493-47777/mullingarartscentre.ie

Charlie is generally recognised and categorised as a country singer, however, as his fans will tell you, country music is only one part of his live shows and music catalogue. Winner of ‘Best Songwriter’, ‘Best Song’, ‘Best Male Vocalist’ & ‘International Country Album’ Charlie’s talent and chart-topping records received the ultimate recognition in 2011 when he was inducted into the British Country Music Hall of Fame- a wonderful achievement for any artist. Join us for a memorable evening of beautiful ballads, folk, blues, country, rock ‘n’ roll, pop, gospel and anthems with the immensely talented Charlie Landsborough. Booking: 04493-47777/mullingarartscentre.ie

Harper and piper respectively have achieved levels of excellence and mastery realised by only a very few musicians .They are regarded by many in the same light as the giants they invoke on the album title. Almost all of the main regional styles and repertoires in Irish traditional music alongside their exemplary players are invoked here. Humour gaiety mischief and sorrow weave in and out of the musical narrative . All the while homage to the source of the tunes is expressed in the choice or selection of tunes in the reference to the associated player or collector and in the playing . More contemporary references to musicians and singers bring us into the vitality of the present and a tradition that is alive and well . http://www.harpandpipes.ieBooking: 04493-47777/mullingarartscentre.ie

Their programme takes the audience on a magical musical trip from the 40’s right up to the present day including hits made famous by Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, Adele, Amy Winehouse, Tom Jones, Joe Dolan, Tina Turner, Van Morrison and many more. These numbers, played with a fabulous big brass sound, are guaranteed to keep you entertained right throughout the evening and looking for more at the end of the show. Saturday 23rd September. Booking: 04493-47777/mullingarartscentre.ie

Presented by Mullingar Student Players. The story follows 10 strangers who receive an unusual invitation to a solitary mansion based remotely off Britain's Devon Coast. Among the guests is an unstable doctor, an anxious businessman, an irresponsible playboy, and a governess with a secret. Cut off from the outside world, the group arrives at its destination, only to find that darkness awaits them. As people start to mysteriously die, the members of the group realize there is a killer among them. Booking: 04493-47777/mullingarartscentre.ie

BOOM? is a comedy set at the height of the mythical economic boom, ( and is about.?. ) the people who live the fantasy and those who fall through the cracks, hopefully into something more real and more sustaining. Selma Mae (Isobel Mahon) seems to have the perfect life, a beautiful home, children, architect husband.. However, when Carmel (Maria MCDermottroe), her social climbing mother arrives to help her to organise a party to celebrate the completion of her state-of–the–art extension, cracks begin to show. As the motley collection of guests arrive; glamorous neighbour Chloe, (Claudia Carroll), tough-talking sister Maeve (Karen Egan) and the eccentric Bernie, (Rose Henderson) disaster ensues and the façade of perfection, not to mention the extension itself, begins to crumble… BOOM? is for anyone who ever had a bad hair day, may never own a helicopter and knows the difference between an abstract sculpture and a bicycle helmet. Friday 3rd November Booking: 04493-47777/mullingarartscentre.ie

Hold your hat and hang onto your soul! NEWS JUST IN! Mullingar Student Players will stage Little Shop Of Horrors in 2018.

What Would Ma Say is a hilarious play based on the best-seller of the same name. Kathleen Doyle tells the true story of her remarkable family and their exploits growing up in Dublin in the tenements in the1950’s and her teenage years in Crumlin in the early1960’s. Kathleen describes Ma as an ordinary woman with very little education behind her. But maybe not so ordinary in the way she learned to survive and handle life. She was the backbone, the one who kept them together as a family, just about keeping their heads above water. But through all the poverty, Kathleen and her brothers and sisters had a laugh turning their kitchen into a swimming pool on a hot summer’s day, or trying to hide a stolen pig in the bath. What Would Ma Say is a nostalgic and poignant reminder of a Dublin that’s long gone - both hilarious and emotional and the experience will not be forgotten. "A searing honest memoir of a working class life in Dublin, full of wit, humour, insight and honesty". Joe Duffy RTE " A hilarious nostalgic reminder of a Dublin that's long gone" Irish Independent. Saturday 4th November Booking: 04493-47777/mullingarartscentre.ie

Michael English is an Irish country singer. He was born in a musical family as his father played button accordion with a traditional Irish band, his mother was an Irish dancer, and his two sisters played fiddle and piano. At the age of nine, English started studying the piano formally at the Hennessy School of Music in Carlow. In 1990, he appeared on Gay Byrne's The Late Late Show television programme at age 11. He continued his musical studies the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin and launched an Irish country music career. Henry McMahon of The Mainliners offered him one of his own compositions, "The Nearest to Perfect" that became a hit for English in 1999. Signing a contract with Ritz Records, English won Best International Entertainer at the Irish National Entertainers Awards ceremony in both 2004 and 2005.He went on to record a number of albums, and a number of single hits with Dolphin / Roscas Recordings. Tickets: €25.00 Booking: 04493-47777/mullingarartscentre.ie

Venue: St. Michael's Church, Castletown Geoghean Book tickets through Mullingar Arts Centre Mia Cooper, Anna Cashel (violins); Joachim Roewer (viola), William Butt (cello) Touring programme 18-24 September 2017 Schubert: String Quartet No. 2 in C major, D.32 Esposito. String Quartet No.1 in D major Op.33 Beethoven String Quartet Op.131 Tickets: €15.00/€12.00 Booking: 04493-47777/mullingarartscentre.ie

The Spanish La Fantasia musical group will perform in Ireland this October a concert of classic songs by The Beatles, they will be supported by the multi talented members of the Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra. Tickets: €10.00 Booking: 04493-47777/mullingarartscentre.ie

Abba Forever returns to Mullingar Arts Centre for another great night out. It’s always party time when abba are about, but when it’s the Christmas Show, then that’s a real excuse for a party! This happy sing-a-long tribute, celebrates with a loud and proud fanfare!It’s the perfect way to start your Christmas celebrations! A cracker of a show. Great Vocals from the girls, Lucinda and Marie, great playing from the guys, Denis and Rae and terrific audio visuals to bring you back in time and share seminal ABBA moments with you! From “Waterloo (Again)” to “Dancing Queen” expect a dazzling, fantastic performance including the most iconic hits, Mamma Mia, S.O.S, Money, Money Money, The Winner Takes All, Gimme Gimme, Gimme and many MANY more! Every favourite is here. The finest ABBA voices you will ever hear! Get your glad rags on, brush up on the lyrics, don the dancing boots and come to the best party in town! You’ll be rockin’ in the isles!!! “The Finest ABBA voices I have ever heard” – The Sunday World Tickets: €20 Booking: 04493-47777/mullingarartscentre.ie