Jane and Maurice teamed up with Richard Hayward’s biographer Paul Clements to put together a show celebrating the life of this great Ulsterman. With thanks to Marian Kelso at Larne Museum and Arts Centre for her support in commissioning the show and welcoming us on our first live gig since Covid. The show will be made available online in due course.

During Jan/Feb 2022 Maurice and Jane recorded a new album in Rod McVey’s studio. Due to be released at the end of March 2022, the album features 17 songs associated with the Ulster Linen trade, drawn from Maurice’s extensive collection of linen songs. Half the tracks are accompanied and Maurice and Jane were joined in studio by Paddy Finney, Frank Cassidy, Joe McHugh and Conor Caldwell. Thanks to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland for their support in the making of this album.

At the end of Jan 2022 Maurice and Jane attended the Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow, and heard some fantastic music and met up with friends old and new. We had a wonderful singing session with Alan and Carole Prior, Morag Dunbar, Slyvia Barnes, Maggie MacCrea. The session was led by Chris Miles and Arthur Watson.

Over the past 2 years Maurice and Jane have participated in many Zoom singing sessions and events. Here’s one of many with the good folk of Hebden Bridge.

A wonderful night of music-making in McCann’s Bar, Omagh last night to celebrate the life and music of the late Arty McGlynn who died in December. Fantastic to hear Nollaig Casey playing, backed by Arty’s son Jerome, who also played a sizzling set of jazz to open the night. Eamon McElholm and Shane McAleer were just 2 of the other musicians who contributed sets. Arty’s brother Kieran sang several songs composed by their legendary grandfather Felix Kearney. And Jane was invited up to sing by Nollaig.

Playing my first solo gig for many years on thurs 5th March at The Sunflower Folk Club!

A great weekend of singing was had!

Lots of sessions, 2 talks and a concert in store. Maurice is giving a talk ‘Songs from the Ulster Linen Industry’ on Sat 1.30pm

Maurice performs at the launch of Folk Park Live: Songs of the Settlers at Belfast’s Ulster Sports Club. Maurice was one of a number of local singers and musicians recorded on video for inclusion in the Folk Park Live experience, which will be available to visitors to the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh as well as online. Other performers included Cathal Hayden, Mary Dillon, Eily Patterson, Niall Hanna to name but a few. Neil Martin was musical director for the project.