TOP Irish country singer Michael English is set to give Clonard GAA Club a major boost this Friday night (Sept 22) as the star attraction at their fund-raising dance in the West Wing of the Hamlet Court Hotel, Johnstownbridge, Co Kildare.

The hugely popular English, who is currently packing in crowds at his concerts and dances nationwide, will be joined on the night by guest star and local favourite Matt Leavy.
As well as being one of the events of the year on the local social calendar, the Michael English dance in Johnstownbridge will raise much needed funds for the development of Clonard GAA Club’s pitches.

Since returning to the country scene with his own band three years ago, Michael has enjoyed phenomenal success and he says life has never been so good for him.
A talented songwriter, Michael’s latest album, Take Me Home, featuring the hit Tuam Beat, is a lovely mix of his own compositions and many favourites that he makes his own.

The Kildare-born entertainer kicked off his singing career in 1999 when he had a smash hit with the song, The Nearest To Perfect, written by Henry McMahon of The Mainliners.
Michael was destined for stardom with the seed being sown when he performed on the Late Late Show at the age of 11, playing an instrumental number called Perestroika, which he composed himself.

He got his spot on RTE’s biggest entertainment show after writing a personal letter to Gay Byrne that year. For Michael, it all started on the Late Late Show and he’s never looked back.
Tickets for the Michael English dance this Friday are available from the Hamlet Court Hotel. Tel: 046-9541200, or online at: www.clonardgaa.com/products