Achill Singing Star, James Kilbane

When I began broadcasting on Mid West Radio’s Internet Service in February I always included a James Kilbane song. He has become very popular with listeners all over the world and I always have countless requests for his lovely songs. When I read out the requests for James’s songs I always mention where he lives on beautiful Achill Island.
Recently I have been inundated with requests for more information on James Kilbane and the lovely island where he lives, so I am focusing this story on Achill and James.
Achill Island is the largest island off the Irish coast, covering an area of about 57 Sq. miles. It is connected to the mainland since 1886 by a long causeway and a swivel bridge, which allows Yachts and Trawlers to pass from Clew Bay to Blacksod bay. Before its construction people were ferried across by rowboats.
The Island’s population was about 7,000 at the start of the last century but emigration to the USA, Australia, England and elsewhere has reduced the population to its current level of about 3,000, the main source of employment is fishing, sheep farming, craft workers, shops and some small industries. Tourism is major source of income on the island.
Achill has beautiful scenery, in mountains, hills, lakes and pollution free beaches, four of them having Blue Flag status. The cliffs are impressive, the 2,000ft cliff face at the back of Croghaun mountain is said to be highest cliff face in Europe, the Minaun cliffs at 800ft is a stunning sight. The Atlantic Drive reveals some of the most glorious scenery in Europe, it is a drive with ever changing scenery and on some bends you are looking down sheer cliffs into the broad Atlantic.

The freshwater lake at Annagh is Lough Nakeeroge East which, at just 16m above sea level, is the lowest corrie lake in Ireland

The island possesses some very interesting places of historical interest, the oldest being the Megalithic Tombs on the southern slope of Slievemore Mountain. The sixteenth century castle at Kildownet is one of the many castles owned by the former pirate queen Grainne Uaile (Grace O’Malley). There are sandhill settlements on Keel strand where evidence of human habitation back in the sixth century have been found, a similar settlement lies on the shore west of Curraun House.
The “Deserted Village” near Slievemore Cemetery is a collection of about seventy loose stone built houses built in the seventeenth century, that accommodated the people who adopted communal style of ownership to their lands and use of commonage. When you look at the fields around the Deserted Village and right up the mountain you can see the tracks in the fields where potatoes once were grown.
People lived in the village until the famine in 1845, most of the families left the village and moved to nearby Dooagh which is beside the sea, the rest of the families emigrated, the village was completely abandoned hence the name “The Deserted Village”.
Achill Island is well worth a visit, since returning to live in Ireland I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to bring many coach parties to the island, apart from the outstanding natural beauty the people on the island are very warm and friendly and most welcoming to the visitor.
Now for the second part of my story and profile of Singing Star James Kilbane,
James was born in London in 1970, at a young age he returned to the island where he lives with his family. Jame’s singing career started at the age of seven when he gave his first solo performance in the local choir, James took part in many singing competitions, winning many of them.
The first time James came to my attention was when I saw him perform on the 2004 RTE “You’re a Star”, this is a show which travels around Ireland auditioning singers and the ultimate winner of the competition goes forward to represent Ireland in The Eurovision Song Contest. After five months television performances James with his unique and incredible voice went all the way to the final, he came second in The Grand Final of the competition, however with his lovely voice and gentle nature he had won the hearts of the Irish public.
Following the competition James recorded a compilation album, a hit single “Losing You” and he then started on a sell out nation-wide tour. During last Summer James went into the recording studio and recorded a lovely album “King of the Road”. Since its release last October the album has proved to be a big hit with the Irish public at home and abroad.
James has been in demand for many prestigious shows and events in the past year, he has been a regular guest on Radio and Television Shows, including Phil Coulter’s TV show “Coulter and Company”. He has performed at various festivals including the International Rose of Tralee Festival where he sang for the winning Rose to an audience in The Dome of several thousand people and a nation-wide T V audience.
He has performed in America and Portugal and was warmly received at all his appearances. He came free of charge to Castlebar to take part in a concert to raise funds for the Tsunami disaster; this was the first time I met James.
James has performed alongside many top stars including, Phil Coulter, Charlie Pride, Tommy Fleming, Celtic Tenors, Dominic Kirwan, Louise Morrissey, John Hogan, The Garda Band and the list goes on and on. Years of experience has helped makes James a versatile performer. He sings a mix of Country, Irish Ballads, Folk and just simply a nice mix of music, if you are in Ireland on holidays and see James advertised, go along to his show and you will be in for a real treat. I will finish with the words of Phil Coulter:-“James Kilbane is a phenomenon”, and I totally agree.
Getting to Achill is quite easy, it is about 75 minute drive from Knock International Airport, there are flights from many U K airports to Knock, which means Achill is less than three hours away from the UK, it is about a four hour drive from Shannon and Dublin Airports, there is an excellent train service from Dublin to Castlebar and Westport and a connecting bus service to the island.
James Kilbane web site is www.jameskilbane.net and Achill Tourism www.achilltourism.com
Achill Tourist Office:-Tel No 098 47353. From UK 00 353 98 47353
Until the next time it’s good bye and God Bless from The Hills of Sligo.