New EP and Galway concerts from folk duo Eleanor and Mike
Folk duo Eleanor Shanley and Mike Hanrahan who are playing two concerts in Galway this month have just released an EP, 'The Ghost of You' to coincide with their summer tour.
'The Ghost of you', from a duo who have long been central to Irish folk music, coincides with their concerts in Tigh Cadhain, Cill Chiaráin, on Monday, June 22, and Mount Carmel Chapel, Loughrea, on Wednesday, June 24.The four-track EP will bring listeners "on a journey across the shifting sands of the memories and emotions that shape our lives", according to pair. Songs on 'The Ghost of You' include Mike's composition 'Craggy Hill', which was inspired by the unsung women of the Irish revolution, as well as 'Gulf Coast highway', by Nancy Griffiths, James Hooker and Danny Flowers, a song of reminiscence and enduring love.
'A Couple More Years', by Shel Silverstein and Denis Locorriere, was previously recorded by Eleanor and Ronne Drew. It reflects on the experience and perspective that age brings. The fourth song is their rendition of 'Four Green Fields', written by folk legend Tommy Makem.
Eleanor and Mike's concerts are an engaging mix of songs and storytelling, shaped by the tradition they’ve helped to define. They've been gigging together regularly for years in addition to having busy solo careers.
Eleanor first came to prominence with Galway's own De Dannan before establishing a successful solo career, releasing seven studio albums to date. She has collaborated with a wide range of artists including Sharon Shannon, Charlie McGettigan, Eddi Reader, classical guitarist John Feeley, singer-songwriter Ultan Conlon, Leitrim trad group Garadice, American gospel singer Ivan LeParr and actor/singer Patrick Bergin.
She has received many awards for her contribution to music and most recently was inducted into The Tondør Festival Hall of Fame in Denmark.
One of Eleanor's most treasured partnerships was with the legendary Ronnie Drew, which resulted in two acclaimed albums and the hit 'A Couple more Years’. It was Mike who produced both those albums.
His musical career began in his home town of Ennis with singer Maura O'Connell in the duo Tumbleweed before he joined the internationally celebrated Stockton's Wing as guitarist and songwriter. Over the years he has written for theatre and film, and produced numerous recordings including three solo albums. As well as performing and producing with Ronnie Drew, he has worked with Finbar Furey, Leslie Dowdall, Gavin Glass and The Forgetmenots choir. Also a talented chef, Mike's memoir 'Beautiful Affair - A Journey in Music, Friendship and Food' was shortlisted for 2019 National book awards. In 2024 he and Pat Shortt co-presented the popular RTÉ television series ‘Songs of Ireland’.
Mike is a Senior Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health, Trinity College Dublin, exploring creative arts in brain healthcare.
For Eleanor, making this EP, which was produced by Bill Shanley - no relation - brought back happy memories.
"Recording 'A Couple More Years' again felt like stepping back into the room with Ronnie – the laughter, the stories, the gentleness of him," she says. "‘The Ghost of You’ is our way of honouring those moments while sharing new ones with audiences who come to our shows.”
Mike describes the project as one that "is rooted in friendship – with each other, and with Ronnie. ‘A Couple More Years’ has always held a special place in our hearts, and revisiting it for 'The Ghost of You' brought a real sense of pride. Eleanor and I have spent decades in music and this EP feels like a celebration of the journey, the people and the stories that shaped us.”
Like Mike, Eleanor has many strings to her bow, and in recent years, she has turned her hand to painting, taking part in several group shows in Ballinasloe when she lived there. In August, she will present her first solo art exhibition at The Pembroke in Kilkenny, so it is no surprise that her artwork features on the cover of 'The Ghost of You'.
Doors for their concert in Coyne's, Cill Chiaráin, on June 22, are at 7.30 and the concert will start at 8.30pm. Tickets are €32 from https://coynesgastropub.ie.
Their Loughrea show, in Mount Carmel, starts at 8pm on June 24 and tickets are €39, from https://mountcarmelconcerts.ie.