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03 Oct 2025
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03 Oct 2025
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Committee lines up star for for big event. Pic: Alf Harvey
My Christmas Wish' is a ticket to join Michael English for a musical evening in Ballinakill!
That's the invite from the members of Ballinakill/ Knock Parish Pastoral Council who are hosting a Michael English Christmas Church Concert to be held in St. Brigid’s Church, Ballinakill.
The popular Kildare singer is looking forward to performing in the Laois village where he has formed local friendships.
Michael first visited the parish for a sell-out show in 2019 and is back by popular demand.
The concert was originally scheduled to take place in 2022 as a follow up his pre-Covid show fondly remembered by many
He originally got to know local woman Anne Cass who is a regular at his shows and the concert grew legs from there.
Church Concerts are a favourite of Michael's, especially at this time of year.
A fantastic Christmas night lies in store where you will hear some of Michael's hits, some hymns and of course some Christmas carols.
“Come along and join in the seasonal entertainment,” said the committee which has organised the event as a fundraiser for the parish.
A native of Castlderomot, Michael was born into a musical family as his father played button accordion with a traditional Irish band, his mother was an Irish dancer, and his two sisters played fiddle and piano.
English started studying the piano formally at the Hennessy School of Music in Carlow. In 1990, he appeared on Gay Byrne's The Late Late Show television programme at age 11. He continued his musical studies the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin and launched an Irish country music career.
He won Best International Entertainer at the Irish National Entertainers Awards ceremony in both 2004 and 2005 and has recorded a number of albums and performed at home and abroad.
The concert takes place on on Sunday, December 3 with doors open at 7pm. Tickets are available from: Anne Marie 0877613468, Anne 0876187653, Claire at Portlaoise Parish Centre, Abbeyleix Parish Office, McGraths and Brennans Shops Ballinakill, or any Parish Pastoral Council member.
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