http://www.paullaffordentertainment.com/

Paul Lafford Entertainment, Cahir (2026)

12/11/2024

After almost 40 years, I've decided to call time on my life as a singer. I'll be playing a few gigs during 2025, before I finish up.

It's been a fantastic life, in particular the many years that Caroline and myself played together, as Breakin' Ice.

We travelled every road and byroad across the county in our little van and the fun we had will never be forgotten.

Among the greatest memories are the time we played on the ferry from Rosslare to Pembroke. There was a marquee in Cashel in the dead of Winter. We did a residency in Cahir House Hotel, on Wednesday nights. It was supposed to be for French tourists, but they went to bed and the local people came out instead. We played for a party once, but none of the guests turned up. That was a bit awkward.

If I was to write a book about the life of the unknown, never to be famous, pub band, it would be a best seller. I'm not sure people might believe the stories though.

During Covid I did my weekly "Gig in The Garage", made my own CD, Songs From Lockdown. I've a few videos on YouTube, left there for all eternity.

For 18 years or so, I've played on my own, while Caroline turned her talents to photography and as always, she was brilliant at it.

Suddenly, in April 2023, our lives came crashing down, following her diagnosis with a brain tumour.

We lost Caroline in January this year and life without her has left us all heartbroken. We tried to keep things going as normal, but we have had to realise that things are not and never will be normal.

The emptiness, loneliness, anger, fear of the future and facing life without Caroline has brought me to this decision.

I have a few dates, about 15 or so, taken for 2025 and once those dates are fulfilled, I'll be calling time on this thing.

I won't be leaving the entertainment completely. We have a magician in the house and he's quickly making a very good name for himself. Hopefully, the PA system, all the gizmos and gadgets will be put to further good use.

Finally, thank you to all the people that have supported this thing over such a long time. There's no music without people and the incredible friends that I've made.

Thanks for everything. Remember, support a musician, you'll walk straight into heaven as a reward.

Thanks.

Paul.

19/12/2023

Hi folks. I just want to wish each and every one of you a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

As you can imagine, 2023 was a horrible year for us as a family. Nobody expects serious illness to come along and when it does, it kicks you down.

The one thing I'll say about us, is that if life kicks us, it better make sure we stay down, because once we get up, we'll fight harder than ever.

We're fighting harder than we've ever fought. Thank you to our wonderful families, our friends and the community in Cahir.

To all the venues that stayed with me, thank you so much. I had a few late cancellations and even a few double bookings. It was a very stressful time, I made mistakes and my apologies.

Over Christmas I'll be knocking out a few tunes, beginning this weekend in Moby's, Youghal on Friday night, Lonergans of Fethard on Saturday night. On St Stephens Day, I'll be in The Bit and Bridle, Killenaule from 6.30 until 9.30 and finally, we'll say good riddance to 2023, at Harneys Final Furlong on New Year's Eve.

2024, we keep going. Music is my life, always has been and it has helped me to keep focused this year. I'd be lost without it, I have some bookings done, I have plenty left

We also have a young magician in the house here, who is getting great reviews. I'm looking forward to helping him get his feet onto the showbiz ladder. He's very talented and has a great opportunity, it's up to him to grab it.

So that's it folks. Have a great Christmas and one last thing, please, please, be careful on the roads.

Thanks again for all your support.

02/02/2023

Bank Holiday weekend ahead and I'll be knocking out a few tunes.

Saturday night, it's my first visit to Youghal for 2023, playing in Moby's.

Sunday night, I'll be heading over to Mullinahone, playing in Tj Macs.

Have a great weekend folks, remember if you're out, support local, you'll be remembered in heaven.

Finally, more important than anything, please, please, be careful on the roads.

01/01/2023

What can I say after last night's gig in Clerihan, where we celebrated the arrival of 2023, only the best ever.

This business is tough, you have poor nights, but then, out of the blue, you get nights like last night. You leave the venue, feeling about 2 foot taller, walking on air and you realise that you just love playing music. The buzz and energy you feel from an audience, is impossible to explain.

To all the people that came out last night, thank you, your support means the world and I genuinely mean that.

To people like John, Siobhán and the staff in Harneys Final Furlong in Clerihan, to all the hoteliers, publicans and venue owners that stood by musicians, singers and bands, thank you. It's been a tough time for the Irish entertainment and hospitality sectors, but in 2022, we came back, bigger and better than ever.

I'm taking a few weeks off now, as I have new equipment on the way, so I need to find out how to work it, I have a few new ideas to try out and I really want to give social dancing one go, to see if I can do it.

Happy New Year to you all and remember, if you support a singer or a band, there will be a place reserved for you in heaven. Straight in the door, no messing.

Remember, to have a look at my website as well, I did it myself.

20/12/2022

Like many people in the music business, I'm saddened tonight, to hear the passing of Bill Flynn.

I first got to know Bill, many years ago, in Mary Morris' music shop in Nelson Street, Clonmel. It was a great place to meet, as we all planned our routes to stardom, although it never quite worked out.

Bill was different though, he had talent and that talent had him playing on stages across the country, most notably, The Rose of Tralee festival.

He played with some of the finest musicians you could imagine, in a time before all the electronic gadgets we use today.

Bill's genre were real musicians.

People of my age will remember the Regal Cinema in Clonmel. It was also a theatre, with Bill at the helm. He attracted some of the top acts in the country to Clonmel.

In recent years, Bill shared his vast amount of photographs taken around Clonmel, on social media.

Bill leaves a huge void, that will be difficult to fill, as a friend, musician and confidante.

My sincerest condolences to Bill's family at this sad time.

16/12/2022

With one week to go, I want to take this opportunity to wish everybody a happy Christmas and New Year.

I'll be knocking out a few tunes over the next few weeks.

Saturday 17th.
Moby's, Youghal.

Sunday 18th.
Connors Live, Carrick on Suir. (Early)

Monday 26th.
The Bit and Bridle, Killenaule. (Early)

Saturday 31st.
The Final Furlong, Clerihan.

Have a great Christmas and please, be careful on the roads.

Once again, thank you for your support during these tough times.

Please take a look at my updated website.

13/12/2022

Hi all and as 2022 comes to a close, I just want to wish everybody a very Happy Christmas and New Year.

Following the reopening of the country, following the lockdowns, the phones quickly started ringing, bringing all the singers and bands back to work. Thank you so much to the owners, publicans, hotel owners and everybody that called.

Most importantly, thank you to the people that came along, supporting bands, during tough economic times.

2023 is booking quickly and I'm still hoping to try the social dancing scene, (if I'm good enough). So, if you're reading this and if you have any connections, might put in a plug for me.

I have finally updated my website, giving it a fresh new look, so you might go over there and see what you think.

Once again, thank you for everything and roll on the new year, where we'll do it all again.

10/12/2022

Hi everybody, I hope you're having a great weekend wherever you are.

I'll be knocking out a few tunes over the weekend, I hope you can join me.

Tonight, I'm heading over the mountain, to Cappoquin, playing at The Sportsman's Bar.

Tomorrow afternoon, is the big one. Following a hiatus of a few years, due to Covid, the Irish Wheelchair Association, Tipperary branch, are having their Christmas party in Cahir House Hotel.

It's always a fantastic event and I'm really looking forward to catching up with good friends.

The weather forecast says it's going to be very cold for the weekend, so please, please, mind the roads.

Finally, like everybody, I was saddened to hear the news about the passing of little Danny Norris yesterday.

A small little boy, who fought his illness with strength, tenacity and good humour, he touched the hearts of everybody who met him.

To his heartbroken parents, Lar and Lisa and his brothers, Charlie and Shay, can I pass on my sincerest condolences.

Rest in peace Danny.

18/09/2022

It seems like most of the country were at Croke Park last night, listening to Garth Brooks.

Meanwhile, my little bandwagon rolled into Killenaule and we had a great night as well. I even threw a few "Garth" songs into the show. As usual, the show was two and a half hours, non stop.

That's how hard small time singers and musicians work. We had a fine crowd, who enjoyed themselves and that's what it's all about.

Happy birthday to Joan and I hope the gang home from the UK had a great time.

It's tough going for small businesses at the moment, with energy costs and a cost of living crisis, making it tough for people to go out.

Martin and the gang at The Bit and Bridle are sticking with us and their support is much appreciated.

Next up, is Mobys in Youghal, next Saturday night.

Thanks to everybody for your continued support of people like me.

We'll never be "stars" although at this stage of our lives, any such nonsense is well behind us. However, a good night, in a good venue, with a good crowd, makes us feel like we are.

Mind yourselves over the rest of the weekend and PLEASE, be careful on the roads.

16/09/2022

Straight out of work, onto a stage. Early start, early finish.

10/09/2022

Garth Brooks is in Croke Park tonight, starting at 7.30pm.

I'll be in Carrick on Suir, playing at Connor's Live, at the slightly later time of 8pm and guess what, it's free admission.

So, come along lads, have a great weekend and wherever you're going, mind yourselves and please, stay safe on the roads.

30/08/2022

2023 is now officially booking, with the first few Saturday nights booked this evening.

I want to say thank you so much to TJ and Nicola McInerney, in Mullinahone, for giving me a few nights.

TJ and Nicola have always been huge supporters of local musicians and bands, so I hope I can bring something new to the area in the new year.

It's been a tough few years, but "we're back baby, bigger and better than ever".

Support local, whatever you do.

Paul Lafford Entertainment

12/11/2024

19/12/2023

02/02/2023

01/01/2023

20/12/2022

16/12/2022

13/12/2022

10/12/2022

18/09/2022

16/09/2022

10/09/2022

30/08/2022

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