Booking details to be confirmed.
Join Dónal Gallagher in conversation with Ann Marie Kelly about his new biography of his brother Rory Gallagher.
This promises to be an unforgettable early evening with Dónal Gallagher! Dive deep into the world of rock & blues and the music business as Dónal shares stories, insights, laughs and tears with Midlands 103's presenter of The Roadhouse Café, Ann Marie Kelly. Whether you're a fan or just curious, this chat promises to be engaging and inspiring. Don't miss out on this chance to meet and talk with the one person in the world best placed to write about the life & times of guitar legend Rory Gallagher.
There will be an exciting musical opening with emerging young vocalist and guitarist Tiernan O'Dwyer accompanied by Music Generation Laois teacher and guitarist Michal Kulbaka.
Dónal Gallagher was born in Derry, Ireland in 1949. He was by his brother Rory's side through his life and career. He currently lives between London, the UK and Cork, Ireland with his wife Cecilia. His book Edged in Blue: A Rock 'n' Roll Odyssey with Rory Gallagher was published in 2026.
Ann Marie Kelly has been working in the audio-visual world for 25 years.
In the field of radio, she has been awarded 4 Gold IMRO Radio Awards. Her most recent award in 2025 was for her dedication to playing Irish music. Her most recent documentary, Are You Blind or What?, won her a Gold Award for Best Documentary.
She produced The Saw Doctors' I Want My Old Job Back for RTE Radio 1, reuniting the band after 20 years apart. They went back on the road months later.
She continues to present her award-winning radio show The Roadhouse Café, dedicated to playing Irish and independent music, which won her 2 awards. In 2026 she started a new podcast with IMRO called IMRO Chats. She has made two film documentaries, including Wally, broadcast on RTE 1, and a recent short film, Poulastore.
She also works as a podcast and film tutor with Youth Work Ireland, Laois.
Tiernan O'Dwyer is a young singer and guitarist from Portlaoise. Tiernan is part of Music Generation Laois and has been involved in numerous opportunities and projects with Music Generation Laois since joining the programme in 2022. In 2025, Tiernan was part of Isle of Song, a shared island songwriting project led by Music Generation Laois in partnership with Nerve Centre, Derry. Tiernan is currently part of the 4-piece band The Blank Appeal. At 15 years of age, Tiernan has already performed at gigs locally in Laois in Dunamaise Arts Centre and Kavanagh's Live Music Venue, as well as performing in Dolans Limerick, Róisín Dubh in Galway, Nerve Centre Derry and Stendhal Festival in Limavady.
Michal Kulbaka is a critically acclaimed rock and blues lead guitarist and session musician. Michal lives in Portlaoise and is a Musician Educator with Music Generation Laois. Renowned for his explosive yet deeply soulful playing style, Kulbaka has carved out a permanent fixture on the international classic rock and heavy metal circuits.
He is best known as the powerhouse lead guitarist for Brian Downey's Alive and Dangerous, fronted by the legendary founding Thin Lizzy drummer, and the influential NWOBHM band Sweet Savage. From his roots as a self-taught guitarist in Poland to commanding festival stages for up to 50,000 fans, Michal seamlessly blends the emotional nuance of classic blues with the high-octane energy of stadium rock.
For more information on the Leaves Festival and the Laois Arts Programme contact The Arts Office
tel.: 057 866 4033/13
email: artsoff@laoiscoco.ie
For events at Dunamaise Arts Centre and St. Peter's Church of Ireland book online or call 057 866 3355.
For events at Laois Libraries, contact the Library branch. Contact details are on each event listing.