12th March 2013

Benny Gallagher of Gallagher & Lyle fame to perform at Gallagher Global Gathering 

The Gallagher Clan are delighted to announce that Benny Gallagher (see www.bennygallagher.com) is to perform in concert and conduct a songwriters workshop as part of the 2nd Gallagher Global Gathering. The concert will take place in the Dunlewey Centre, Gweedore, Co. Donegal, Ireland on Saturday 14th September 2013 at 8.00 p.m. with the Loch Altán Hotel, Gortahork, Co. Donegal being the venue for the workshop on the following day, Sunday 15th September.

The 2nd Gallagher Global Gathering will run from 6th – 15th September 2013 and be based in the Loch Altán Hotel. This follows the first very successful Gallagher Global Gathering held in 2007 when some 1488 Gallaghers came together in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, to celebrate their heritage and in the process won for themselves a Guinness World Record for the most people of the same surname/last-name being in the same place at the same time. The record still stands. Benny’s participation will add another great element to this year’s event and what is a very busy programme of events (see www.gallagherclan.org).

Benny Gallagher is renowned as part the singer/songwriting partnership, Gallagher & Lyle, whose career took off when they were signed by The Beatles to write for Apple Records’ artists, which included Mary Hopkin. By 1970, they formed the band McGuinness Flint and wrote the UK chart hit "When I’m Dead and Gone". In 1972 the Gallagher & Lyle partnership was formed and they went on to great chart success both with their own records and by having their songs performed by artists such as Art Garfunkel with “Breakaway”.

On record Benny has worked with: Paul McCartney - Eric Clapton - Pete Townsend - Ronnie Lane - Ronnie Wood - Gary Brooker - Georgie Fame - Mary Hopkin - Elkie Brooks - Ralph McTell - Sandy Denny and Fairport Convention, as well as Blues legends Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup (who wrote " That's Alright Mama " for Elvis Presley), and Champion Jack Dupree.

Now Benny is hoping to have his best “breakaway” ever - to come back to his Gallagher ancestral roots in Co. Donegal, Ireland and perform for his many Gallagher “cousins” who will be attending the 2nd Gallagher Global Gathering. He will also hold a songwriters workshop. No doubt the many Gallaghers who have tried their hand at songwriting or wish to do so, will be delighted to get the opportunity to pick up a few tricks from the expert that is Benny.

Benny will be joined in concert by among others, Frank Gallagher (see www.frankgallaghermusic.com). Frank is a world famous record producer and arranger, who is also a multi-talented musician. He has worked with such luminaries as Dame Shirley Bassey, Charlotte Church, Opera Babes, the Celtic Tenors, Ronan Keating and Maire Brennan, James Galway & Phil Coulter. Who knows what other Gallaghers may turn up on the night! Special invitations have now gone out also to Liam and Noel of Oasis fame to join in the fun. This was in appreciation of their help in promoting the 2007 event.

The Gallaghers not wishing to hide such wonderful talents to themselves will be delighted to have anyone who is interested join them for either the concert or workshop or both. Both are very reasonably priced - Concert @ €10.00 ( book via the Dunlewey Centre) and the Writers Workshop @ €25.00 each (book via Loch Altán Hotel). As numbers are limited prompt booking is advised.

Further information is available on the Gallagher Clan website www.gallagherclan.org or Facebook: www.facebook.com/gallagherclan.org Twitter: www.twitter.com/Gallagher_Clan

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Gallagher Clan
Mobile: + 353 (0)87 6680593
Tel. No. + 353 (0)74 9124689
E-mail: 2013@gallagherclan.org
Website www.gallagherclan.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gallagherclan.org Twitter: www.twitter.com/Gallagher_Clan