Mayo band making 'live' return for St. Patrick's Day in Germany
Well-known Mayo musicians, Chris & Dave, who retired from live performances as a band some years ago, are reforming for a few special performances on St. Patrick’s Day in Castlebar’s twin town in Germany, Höchstadt.
The trip comes as a result of an invitation from Mayor Gerald Brehm following a visit of Mick Baynes and a group from Castlebar to the Bavarian town last July.
Mayor Brehm then returned to Castlebar with a delegation and joined Castlebar Mitchels for a Culture Night event where members of the senior team presented him with a Castlebar Mitchels’ jacket.
Some weeks later, the mayor made contact and discussed the possibility of putting on an Irish night in Höchstadt for St. Patrick’s Day and invited Chris and Dave to perform.
The duo, who are no strangers to the town having played there at various festivals in 2016, 2017, and 2018, jumped at the opportunity and will play there tomorrow and Sunday.
Daithi Gallagher said: “We were delighted with the invitation from Mayor Gerald and honoured to be asked.
"We have great memories of our gigs there over the years and look forward to returning and meeting our old friends again.”
Chris Duffy said: “We met some great people over the years so it will be good fun renewing old acquaintances, especially for St. Patrick’s Day.
"We would love if we got an opportunity to bring some of our German musician friends to play in Castlebar at some stage.”
Daithí added: “The town twinning between Höchstadt and Castlebar is a really great project and I ‘d love to see it developed with more inclusion from the community.”
Mick Baynes, who will join the duo on drums, said: “When we met with Mayor Brehm last September, we both agreed that musical and cultural exchanges are great ways for people to get to know each other and understand our cultures.
"We are all Europeans now. With Knock to Cologne now a regular flight in the summers, we should explore the opportunity to grow this relationship.”
One man who could not accept the invitation due to a prior booking is piano player and singer, Tomás Langan.
Tomás was a member of the band on all the other trips but he already had made a commitment for St. Patrick’s Day.
Tomás is a huge hit in Höchstadt and told us: “I was delighted when I heard we were going back, but once I realised the date I knew I had a booking for that day so would have to miss this German trip.
"I really hope we can get our friend’s German band, Trouble X, to play in Castlebar this year and show them our town in the same way as they showed us theirs.”