Guitar supremo Albert Niland for city concert

Mountbellew native Albert Niland who plays the Róisín Dubh on Tuesday, February 7, “has yet to achieve the widespread recognition his talent merits”, according to the Sunday Times, and there’s a degree of truth in that.

His most recent, self-titled, release is a double album that captured the singer and virtuoso guitarist in his natural environment. It saw him put all the songs he plays live in one collection and in one place and includes original material as well as covers of artists Prince, Randy Newman and Bruce Springsteen

Albert regards this as his best recording to date and it’s certainly the one he’s happiest with, “because it really captures me and the guitar, like I was six feet in front of you. That’s all I can ask for really, in a recording”.

Albert is the quintessential wandering troubadour, having lived in San Francisco and various parts of Europe, performing and perfecting his craft. He spent three years as guitarist with Riverdance from 2000-2003 before leaving to focus on his own work, which resulted in his first solo recording, Dirty Day, a original collection of authentic flamenco and songs. Shortly afterwards, his live solo acoustic recording of Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights got serious attention on the national airwaves.

Albert then started a busking trip that took him from Brittany to Norway, writing and recording his second album, The Hungry Ghost en route. He is a consistently captivating live performer, with Hot Press saying “few have the dramatic impact of Niland”. His show is well worth checking out. Doors” 8pm, tickets €14/€12 members.