Mayo group releasing debut album and going on tour

MAYO group MacHenry and The Dog Roses have recorded their debut album and are getting ready to hit the road with a tour this spring.

The product of two years' work, After the Rain will truly resonate with audiences, touching on many different topics, including dementia, suicide, war and the feeling of losing someone loved, reaching out to let people know they are not alone.

This time last year the trio held a fundraising concert locally in Tooreen to help realise their ambition of recording an album. It's now available to pre-order digitally, and has also been pressed on vinyl with Anthem Vinyl in Kildare.

Lead singer Ethan Henry and talented musicians Victoria and Elizabeth Burcovschi make up the folk band MacHenry and The Dog Roses. They are all now in third-level education, Ethan in first year at TUS Athlone studying sound engineering, Elizabeth undertaking a PLC in Castlebar on digital marketing, with Victoria in her third year in UCC studying medicine.

Away from their studies they are counting down the days until the start of their tour this spring.

The album launch night takes place on Saturday, March 7, in Ballyhaunis Community Hall.

There will be a full band joining them on the night, with a raffle sponsored by Ballyhaunis Community Council. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the show kicking off at 8 p.m.

After that they will have a store performance in Collins' Music, Castlebar, on March 14, followed by the Roisin Dubh in Galway on March 28 and Dean Crowe, Athlone, on April 10.

They will have many great artists joining them across the gigs, including finalist for Hot Press A Local Hero Competition Liam Foody, winner of the Big Busk Ireland Joanne Gallagher, Aisling Fuller, who has music with over half a million streams, and new emerging artist Blathin Hogan.

Said Ethan: “I truly believe our music can connect with people and make a difference in their lives.

“That's the whole reason we made the album.

“Our album, called After The Rain, is a message to people telling them things do get better after the rain.”

After the Rain was recorded with Paddy Jordan in Galway - 'the perfect man for the job'.

Said Ethan: “A lot of work has gone into this album. We first had to write and compose all the songs, record them with Paddy, get them mastered.

“Then there's artwork for the album, getting them pressed on vinyl and now trying to release the vinyl.

“It has been such a journey over the last 16 months but one we wouldn't change for anything.”

The album is available now for pre-order on Bandcamp. It will also be available to buy at their gigs and support slots over the coming months.

Tour tickets are available here.