Review by Anne Marie Kennedy

Up on a modest hill on the west side of Loughrea, the Carmelite Convent humbly presides; surrounded by farmland, this 19th century building will be a constant reminder of a religious congregation who lived in silence here, prayed, gardened, farmed and thrived, being part of the local community since the mid 1700’s.

Businessman Mike Feerick acquired the building after the religious order vacated, and he has converted the chapel into an intimate concert venue. With some religious iconography still evident, predominantly the stained-glass window that previously illuminated the altar, it now provides soft, colourful illumination to the stage.

On a fairly typical June evening in Galway, summer rain falling, the first of two concerts is about to begin, both sold out in a matter of hours.

Fully seated, enthusiastic fans arrive early and exactly on time Don Stiffe, Trevor Sexton and Ger O’Donnell come onstage.

Three fine men, relaxed, easy banter between them, they open with Richard Thomson’s Dimming of the Day with Don on lead, into Beeswing, synchronicity of instruments, vocals wide ranging and compelling, rapturous applause from the outset.

Galway to Graceland, Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore and Don’s version of Christy Hennessy’s Roll Back the Clouds – all songs we know well, the original versions now erased from our memories.

This trio of seasoned musicians and singers, professional to the core, use innovative arrangements, they’re a joy to watch, grateful, sincere, happy out to be doing what they know best

There’s a rousing applause and a fair few whoops from the audience after every song, effortless, (and genuine), self-deprecating crack from the lads.

They joke about having all genres covered in case the current material falters (some chance); Don the supreme ballad singer, Ger can easily convert to the Country and Western and Trevor’s roots (and his hair) are in the reggae!

Under the ornate ceiling, in this place of silent retreat and contemplation, your reviewer is remembering the pious women, especially those who never travelled, their mortal remains buried in the adjacent walled garden, if only they could see the stash of instrument cases right of stage, with stickers from Yeti, Boston, The Bahamas, Chicago, Germany, Spain, Mexico, New York and Donegal to name but a few!

City of New Orleans, Grace and Peaceful Easy Feeling, top notch instrumentalism, effortless harmonies, guitar wizards, layered with Trevor’s innovative percussion, Ger on flute, whistles, bouzouki and piano, could be a ten-piece band!

For their solos, Don sings Promise of Spring, written for his wife Elaine, a gorgeous love song and homage to home. Trevor on banjo, sings Luke Kelly’s Parcel of Rogues so beautiful, plaintive. Ger pays tribute to Joni Mitchell with Canada; great pace, vocally assured.

The Rose of Allendale got a huge reaction, the chorus in three-part harmony, acapella flourishes, as for Dainty Davy, it defines melodic.

Another Don original, Missing Galway, autobiographical, a ramble around Boston, pining for home, up-tempo, rhythmically brilliant. Michael Considine’s Spancil Hill gets an exuberant Sexton makeover, full reggae, Jamaican patois, audience participation, just brilliant, ‘ah Johnny you must be smokin’ as many’s the time before…’

If you even hear a whisper of them being in your neck of the woods, do not hesitate to book tickets.

Pictured: Spectacular night…Ger O’Donnell, Don Stiffe and Trevor Sexton at Mount Carmel.