Stirring show is on the cards

Declan O’Rourke plays Róisín Dubh on Friday, 20th August.

The Dublin born songwriter has been described as “one of the finest songwriters on the planet” by folk supremo Eddi Reader who recorded his song Galileo for her 2007 album, Peacetime and followed that with Love is the Way for her album of the same name in 2009.

He has played support for Bob Dylan and has also made a place for himself among the elite of Ireland’s singer/songwriter talent, having played with Paul Brady, Planxty, Kíla, Paddy Casey, Damien Rice, Glen Hansard and Gemma Hayes.

O’Rourke crafts songs with fine melodies and strong choruses that are structured around engaging tales of romance and adventure. His voice has been described as rich and resonant and he has an intricate guitar style. He worked with Paddy Casey for two years and featured on almost all of the tracks on Casey’s multi-platinum selling album Living.

Eventually Declan O'Rourke decided to concentrate on recording and producing his own debut album, Since Kayabram, which he did at Sharon Shannon's recording studio in Galway. He also contributed a track, to Shannon’s Diamond Mountain Sessions, a compilation album which includes Sinéad O'Connor, Steve Earle and Natalie Merchant among others.

He followed up his winning solo debut, Since Kybram with Big Bad Beautiful World and has won more plaudits from eminent songwriters like Paul Weller.

Whether solo or with his band, O’Rourke can always be counted on to deliver a stirring live show, with songs that range from up tempo to quieter folk numbers. Doors 9pm, tickets €25/€23 members.