Popular country singer set to perform fundraising concert in Tipperary

Preparations are well underway in Thurles to welcome back Michael English and his band to the Cathedral of the Assumption as part of the Cathedral Reroofing fundraising initiative.

“Faith, Hope and Inspiration” is the title of the event which takes place on Friday, September 26, and the organisers say the audience is guaranteed a wonderful night of entertainment from a performer who is internationally renowned and who is regarded as being at the height of his career right now.

READ MORE: Work colleagues come out to support staff who are on strike in Tipperary schools

Michael was born into a very musical family with his father playing the button accordion in a trad band, and his mother an Irish dancer.

His sisters played fiddle and piano too and Michael himself was introduced to the ivories at the tender age of nine when he started lessons in the Hennessy School of Music in Carlow.

Michael continued to pursue studies in the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin before pursuing his very successful career in the country music genre.

He has featured on the Late Late Show on a number of occasions as well as many other top TV programmes.

His first big hit was The Nearest of Perfect in 1999 which was given to him by Henry McMahon of The Mainliners.

Since then he has had a string of wonderful hits and has produced a series of successful albums, from which the playlist will be drawn for the concert in the Cathedral of the Assumption.

This is a unique opportunity to attend a multiple award winner, including the Best International Entertainer at the Irish National Entertainer Awards.

The spectacular backdrop of the beautiful cathedral will greatly enhance the evening and there is great anticipation locally and much further afield ahead of the event.

READ MORE: PICTURE: Wall of Tipperary winning captains receives major renovation

The roof of the Cathedral of the Assumption needs to be replaced at a cost of approximately €2.2 million and a number of fundraising initiatives have been embarked upon to help create a fund.

A series of concerts have been staged in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Bóthar na Naomh Church, and the Premier Hall, as well as an ongoing lotto, and other fundraisers also.

The recent Monster Scrap Metal Collection also proved very worthwhile having been supported widely for a second year.

A ticket donation of €30 is the method of entry to the “Faith, Hope and Inspiration” concert.

These tickets are now on sale in Thurles Parish Office, Cathedral Street (0504 22229), Bookworm, Liberty Square, Thurles (0504 22257), and Holycross Abbey Shop (0504 43124).

These tickets are selling quickly, and the event organisers say to make sure to secure your ticket now in order to avoid disappointment.