Eddie Keenan reviews a busy year on the local entertainment front in this region.

It was an inauspicious beginning to the local music scene in 2008 with the news that showband legend Joe Dolan had died on St Stephen"s Day in Dublin"s Mater Private Hospital having been taken seriously ill at his home in Foxrock on Christmas Day. The Mullingar man had become world famous with songs such as "Make Me An Island" and "You"re Such A Good Looking Woman" over the past four decades and his death was a huge loss to the music scene in Ireland. Throughout January, a host of local tributes were paid to the music legend who had always attracted huge audiences wherever he performed in the region. Two Athlone-born DJs, Pete Casey and Keith Walsh were nominated in the "Best Regional DJ" category in the 2008 Meteor Awards in February. The awards recognise the wealth of talent from DJs in stations throughout Ireland. Pete Casey has worked in Shannonside Northern Sound for the past 17 years while Keith Walsh is currently DJing for Dublin"s Spin FM. Moate"s Laughing Stock Comedy Club provided plenty of laughs in 2008, attracting top comedians such as Patrick McDonnell and Joe Rooney to Club S to the midlands while Offaly-born singer/songwriter Mark Hogan made a fantastic appearance in Scribe"s Bar in February, which was well received by students. Mark has been winning plenty of plaudits from music fans and critics alike and looks like one to watch in 2009. Indeed, Athlone IT was hosting more than just live music in 2008. The college began a Higher Certificate in Business with Music and Instrument Technology course which takes a practical approach to the music industry with students being tutored in all aspects of the business, from sound engineering to the repair and building of instruments. All those with a strong interest in music would do well to take a closer look at the course in 2009. Athlone"s new Passionfruit Theatre opened its doors on February 27 and 28 with a special two-day concert from Carmel Sheerin and The Ravens. The beautiful new facility has since attracted dozens of top musical acts to the town as well as excellent drama and some of the country"s finest comedians. 2009 is set to continue the theatre"s success with a host of top acts already lined up for 2009. One of Athlone"s other top theatres, the Dean Crowe welcomed the 56th RTE All Ireland Drama Festival to the town early in the year. Every year the festival brings a wealth of top drama to Athlone and this year was no different with sterling productions of favourites such as "Philadelphia Here I come" delighting audiences. Another popular annual event taking place in the town was the Midland Songwriters Night which once again attracted a number of top acts to The Palace Loft such as Mullingar-based Pete Courtney who thrilled local audiences. One of the big hits of the year was Athlone Musical Society"s production of "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street", which wowed audiences over a full week in March. Director Johnny Worthy led an exceptional cast who once again demonstrated why the society is so highly respected in the town. Some of the biggest names in Irish entertainment were making their way to Ballinasloe"s Carlton Shearwater Hotel with both Christy Moore and Tommy Tiernan performing sell-out shows in the new venue and, speaking of Tiernans, Tommy"s cousin Eleanor - an Athlone native - confirmed her rising status in Irish comedy with an appearance at the Galway Comedy Festival. Local artist Robbie Ryan enjoyed great success with his last exhibition, "Awakenings" in April. "Awakenings" showcased the talented artist"s unique take on landscape art and again attracted plenty of attention throughout the region. Top comedian Des Bishop lit up the Dean Crowe Theatre in May. Unsurprisingly, his new show "Tongues" attracted a huge audience who were eager to catch one of Ireland"s finest comedians in the flesh. Throughout the year Athlone School of Rock also hosted a series of highly popular gigs while the newly established AMP (Athlone Music Promotions) group ensured that there was plenty of top music opportunities for young up-and-coming acts in Athlone. As well as gigs in a number of local venues, the AMP crew also organised a special recording project for local bands in the summer. Eleanor McEvoy, John Spillane, Freddie White, Ronan O"Snodaigh (of Kila fame) and Damien Dempsey were among the star names to make their way to Athlone"s Passionfruit Theatre over the summer and Autumn period while the theatre also provided a valuable outfit for lesser known acts such as Robert Blake and Athlone bands such as Skinsize Kings and Hickory Wind who performed excellent shows in the theatre. The annual Goldsmith Festival - held in Glasson, Tang and Ballymahon - once again provided a bold mix of culture, discourse and entertainment with large crowds lapping up the occasion. The popular event has grown in stature over the years and continues to flourish. Mary Black played a sold-out show in Ballinasloe"s Shearwater over the summer while The Panel Live brought plenty of laughs to the Dean Crowe Theatre. The 2008 Tri-fest - which came as part of the annual TriAthlone event - brought the Dublin Gospel Choir to Athlone"s Dean Crowe Theatre for what was a very special occasion. As well as gospel though, denizens of Athlone also enjoyed jazz barbecues, trad music sessions and on-street entertainment over the course of the weekend. The wonderful Lisa Hannigan performed in the Roscommon arts Centre in August while the annual "Search for a Star" competition in the Auld Shebeen provided plenty of local entertainment. Athlone regulars Republic of Loose got the crowds in the Palace to their feet during August while local band Skinsize Kings also launched their exceptional debut album. 2008 also saw highly popular local act Carmel Sheerin and The Ravens launch their latest album, performing a special launch night in Ballymahon. The evergreen Brendan Grace also made an appearance in Athlone"s Radisson SAS Hotel in Autumn while the comedy folk-punk of Hamell on Trial (supported by the sadly defunct Da Spuds) rocked The Bog Lane theatre in Ballymahon. The inimitable Jon Kenny brought his fantastic new show "Back to Front" to the Hodson Bay in September. Drawing on his impressive background in stand-up comedy, Kenny provided an excellent show which was well received by all those lucky enough to get hold of their tickets early. David Kitt was among the big name acts to wing their way to Roscommon Arts Centre over the Autumn/Winter period while back in Athlone, world-famous author JP Donleavy was the guest of honour at the 2008 Athlone Literary Festival. Donleavy was interviewed by journalist Fintan O"Toole for the exciting event. The Dean Crowe Theatre played host to a very special gala concert in honour of Count John McCormack headed by tenor Emmanuel Lawler, a fitting tribute to an Athlone - and indeed Irish - legend. October and November saw outstanding productions of Beckett"s work grace Athlone. The Gate Theatre"s legendary production of "Waiting for Godot" lit up the Dean Crowe Theatre while "First Love", based on a Beckett novella, took pride of place in the Passionfruit. Both amazing performances sold-out quickly - and rightly so. Athlone Art Group also hosted its 23rd annual exhibition in November while Athlone woman Margaret McKenna Mullan"s latest play, "Promises Promises" also proved another huge Winter hit in a year that provided plenty of great entertainment in the region.