The Church Blues Club to debut at Saint George’s Mitchelstown

Who would ever think those famous opening words from Jimi Hendrix ‘Welcome to My Church of Blues’ would ever come true? Of course, we all know that here in Ireland anything is possible and that’s exactly what will be happening at the former church, Saint George’s Arts & Heritage Centre in Mitchelstown on Friday, July 1st – the debut of Ireland’s newest blues club! The Church Blues Club have adopted Saint George’s as their spiritual home.

Jimi Hendrix won’t be there in person on the night, but there will be moments in time when you will swear that he is there on stage in spirit as you are captivated by Dublin born and bred guitar wizard Gerry Quigley & his band The Mystic Blues band.

This debut show will be a special fundraiser for the Saint George’s restoration project. The Church Blues Club’s Australian founder Sharon Quigley (who is based nearby in Co Cork) had a vision to create a blues club in Ireland for quite a few years, inspired by the prestigious Perth Blues Club Western Australia where her Irish husband Gerry Quigley is an honorary life member, but only if and when the time was right.

Sharon’s vision for The Church Blues club is to support Saint George’s and the local community by providing a meeting place for good friends and place for making new friends, for all who have a shared enjoyment of live music. In particular the best of the blues which is a highly versatile genre very easy to listen to and enjoy, and suitable for the interest of people of all ages.

The Church Blues Club will return to Saint George’s every two months on the first Friday of that month, or more often by demand. Extra shows may also be scheduled throughout the year on demand, when international touring blues artists request to play on other dates. There is already great interest from international blues bands.

SIOBHAN O’BRIEN

This Friday’s show will commence with special guest Siobhan O’Brien who is back home in Ireland from a hugely successful time writing and touring in the USA.

Dubbed ‘a voice the world should hear’ by Paddy Moloney (The Chieftains), Siobhán O’Brien is writing music for the risk takers of this world.

GERRY QUIGLEY & THE MYSTIC BLUES BAND

Next on stage will be Gerry Quigley & The Mystic Blues band.

Dublin born & bred Gerry Quigley returned home to Ireland in 2013 after 30 years in Australia and it’s no surprise he has been making his mark on the Irish (& UK) blues scene ever since. From regular appearances at Crane Lane Theatre where he is based in Cork city, to Boyle’s of Slane, or invitations to play at top festivals.

From a standing ovation after a jaw dropping performance at Perth Concert Hall Western Australia, to playing on the floor in his choice of favourite pubs, with Gerry Quigley you can tell that every show is just as special as the last. So, on Friday July 1st, you’ll see Gerry and his amazing band pumping out their own signature style of spine-tingling blues and blues-rock originals along with blues classics Quigley style.

If you love all the blues and progressive rock guitar greats, you will love this show. One thing is for certain, on July 1st at Saint George’s Mitchelstown you’ll be in for a treat!

Tickets €20 or €15 for members, available online from Eventbrite, or at the door on the night. For more details including how to become a member see: https://www.thechurchbluesclub. com