Kildare-based band 'The Druids' to headline at Prosperous gig in memory of talented young musician Christopher Brosnan next Friday ahead of U.S. tour

By Kim O'Leary Co Kildare based band ‘The Druids’ are set to play a very special gig in Prosperous village next Friday, 24 August in memory of the late Christopher Brosnan, their friend and a very talented musician in his own right who sadly passed away in April. Indeed, for those who enjoy great story telling through music, there is no better band to listen to which embodies the pride and rich history of the Irish culture than Kildare based band ‘The Druids’, and the award-winning band has acquired a loyal following across the Atlantic in the US and the U.K. and many more. The Druids first burst on to the music scene early in 2008, and their songs carry the story of Ireland, songs and stories which are delivered with passion and conviction. The band consists of Mick O’Brien a proud Wexford man now living in Newbridge who has been described as the ‘Best Front Man’ in Irish music having travelled the world with groups such as CITY FAIR and THE SHAMROCKERS, Paddy Mangan a singer and talented Lead Mandolin player from Johnstownbridge, Gary Lawlor who hails from Clane and is a powerful vocalist and son of the great local musician Mick Lawlor, and Zak Moran from Johnstownbridge on bass who is the newest and youngest member of the band bringing great passion to his performances. [caption id="attachment_243367" align="alignnone" width="334"] The Druids[/caption] The Druids have completed tours of Ireland, Scotland, UK, Denmark, Belgium, Spain   and up to three tours a year in the USA. Having toured constantly over the past number of years . Their live show is a must for all lovers of Irish song music and history, and it is both entertaining and educational. The Druids are now regulars on the festival tours of the states. The band has received a number of awards since its inception ten years ago, with notable awards including the 2012 Leinster Entertainment Award. Folk Award, 2013 Best Folk Act Sin E Radio Folk Awards, 2015 Best Folk Album Sin E Radio Folk Awards, 2016 Accommodation from The City of Berkeley Detroit for their contribution to Irish Culture, 2017 Best Live Act Irish Folk Awards, and most recently the 2018 Award from Kildare Association New York Speaking to KildareNow, Mick O’Brien explained how the talented band first formed ten years ago: “The band started in 2008 during the economic recession and we were initially a three piece. We started performing in pubs and at local venues and we found that there was an appetite for the music that we were playing. It took off very quickly and soon we were touring Scotland and Spain and doing Irish tours,” explaied Mick. Meanwhile, the talented quartet will next take to the stage for a very special memorial concert ‘A Night for Broz’ which is taking place at Dowlings in Prosperous village on Friday 24 August to remember the late Christopher ‘The Broz’ Brosnan, a very talented young musician who sadly passed away last April. [caption id="attachment_243368" align="alignnone" width="300"] The late Christopher 'Broz' Brosnan was a very gifted young musician from Prosperous and a close friend of The Druids[/caption]   General Admission is €10 and Eddie Kane will be the support act on the night with the gig taking place from 8pm-1am on the night of Friday 24 August with tickets available from Dowlings or local shops including Londis and the Gala petrol station shop. All monies raised will go towards the late Broz’ s funeral expenses and to also purchase a memorial headstone, and there was a commemoration for Christopher Brosnan during the Prosperous Music Festival. Next month, The Druids will kick-start their 4^th leg of their USA tour with five days worth of performances in total with gigs taking place on:

• Wednesday September 12 at Knights of Columbus, 13 South Morristown in New Jersey (tickets contact Keith Wood on Facebook)
• Thursday September 13 at Sona 4417 Main Street, Philadelphia in Pennsylvania (Tickets 484-2730-481)
• Friday September 14 at Connollys (Klub45) 121 w 45^th St NYC (tickets212-597-5126)
• Saturday September 15 at the Irish 2000 Festival Balliston Spa in New York (tickets at www.irish2000fest.com)
• Sunday September 16 at Bailey’s Smoke House 136 E Erie Street Blauveit New York and at Keane’s Bar 8pm4342 Katonash Ave Bronx New York.

  [caption id="attachment_243371" align="alignnone" width="200"] The Druids will perform at The Moat Theatre in Naas on Friday 28 September with support from Eddie Kane[/caption]   And for Co Kildare fans, the award winning The Druids will return to play at The Moat Theatre in Naas on Friday 28 September 2018 from 8pm due to high demand with support from Eddie Kane. General Admission is €20 per head and tickets are on sale now at www.moattheatre.com or phone 045 883030.