One of Dublin’s premier Irish bands, The Black Donnellys Dublin, will be touring Montana in March.
Dave Rooney, voted 2012 Best Irish Singer/Songwriter of the Year by NYCS “Radio Irish,” and multi-instrumentalist Dave Browne comprise the duo, which plays traditional Irish, Celtic rock, folk, original, contemporary, country, and Appalachian music.
Formed in 2004, the band first came to prominence with You’re a Star singing sensation and internationally renowned George Murphy, who was a finalist on the TV show. He went on to sign with Sony, and had a Number-1, multi-platinum selling album in Ireland.
The band played live shows and recorded albums thereafter, touring extensively and performing in premier venues throughout Europe, America, and Japan.
Rooney, a critically acclaimed songwriter, released his debut album This is My Home at the prestigious Sugar Club in Dublin in 2009. The title track placed Number 3 in the Irish download charts.
He later released two more albums, If it Ain’t Broke in 2010 and The Entertainer in 2011, which was the soundtrack to a musical he released in 2012 called, Cobblestone Sam.
The play was based on a homeless man Dave met while performing as a musician in Temple Bar, Dublin and were well-received. Actor Seamus O’Rourke played the main character.
Rooney has since teamed up with Pioneer Motion Pictures and will make a movie based on the song he wrote of the character, aptly named “The Millionaire.” It will be shot in Dublin in 2018 and distributed in the States.
Guitarist Browne smashed the world record for marathon guitar playing. In June 2014, he played guitar continuously for 114 hours at the Temple Bar Irish Pub in Temple Bar, Dublin.
Later that year, the band moved to Las Vegas, taking up residency at the Rira Irish Venue, Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, where they beat the world record for the longest concert ever held. They played for 15 days and 10 hours.
The Black Donnellys Dublin are renowned for their lively performances. From the raucous vocals, musicianship, and remarkable songwriting skills of Dave Rooney, to the rip-roaring fret work and high-octane performance of Dave Browne, this band truly is a breath of fresh air.
Black Donnellys Dublin Montana Tour Schedule
Helena, Montana: Grandstreet Theatre—Friday, March 2 at 7 p.m.
All proceeds go to the Helena Food Share. Tickets are $20 at the door, or $15 in advance. Tickets are available at the Helena Food Share. For further info call (406) 498-4162.
Anaconda, Montana: Washoe Theatre—Saturday, March at 2 p.m.
All proceeds go to YES Youth Empowerment Services. Tickets are $20 at the door, or $15 in advance, and $5 with a student I.D. For further info call (406) 498-4162.
Butte, Montana: MT Tech Library Auditorium—Sunday, March 4, 2 p.m.
All proceeds go to the Butte Emergency Food Bank. Tickets are $20 at the door, or $15 in advance, and $5 with a student I.D. Tickets are available at the Butte Food Bank, Montana Tech’s Activities Department in the Student Union Building, and Insty Prints at 120 W. Park St., Butte, MT. For further info call (406) 498-4162.
