Burning Love for the Omagh Music Festival

The highly anticipated Omagh Music Festival returned on Friday, 1 November, and continued into Saturday, 2 November, delivering an unforgettable weekend filled with music, history, and community pride, with hundreds in attendance. The festival weekend officially opened with the unveiling of a newly completed artwork by acclaimed Tyrone artist Jim McKee the piece celebrates local Omagh band The Plattermen.

Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor John McClaughry spoke at the event commenting,

“Omagh is home to many renowned and talented musicians, and the annual Omagh Music Festival is a chance to celebrate their contributions. This festival embodies the spirit of Omagh: it celebrates its people, its history, and showcases the talent that makes this town unique.

Tonight, we recognise the contributions of Pat Chesters, Leo Doran, and Ray Moore, who join us in person. We also pay tribute to the memory of band members no longer with us: Sean Hamilton, Johnny Murphy, Arty McGlynn, Brian Coll, and Billy McGinty. The Plattermen artwork immortalises their legacy, serving as a lasting reminder of an era when music brought communities together, resonating on every stage, every dance floor, and in every heart.”

One of the Chair’s honours each term is to commission a piece of artwork for the Council. This particular piece was commissioned during Councillor Barry McElduff’s term, who expressed his pride in the piece, saying:

“When you think of Omagh, you think of The Plattermen. They’re part of the town’s identity and reflect a deep, authentic connection to Omagh that we’re all immensely proud of. This artwork serves as a tribute to the iconic showband and celebrates the countless musicians and performers who honed their craft with St Eugene’s Band and later achieved remarkable careers. The Plattermen will now remain on display at the Strule Arts Centre for all to see.”

The festival’s opening night continued with an engaging conversation hosted by Don McGurgan and Declan Forde, presenters of Sweet Omagh Town Radio, titled From Bridge Lane to Memory Lane. This evening honoured the late Derrick Mehaffey, sharing memories of his stories and music. Audience members contributed personal reflections on the town’s culture, work, and entertainment scene.

Saturday featured a day packed with activities, beginning with the Omagh Music Heritage Trail. This unique walking tour commenced at the Strule Arts Centre’s rooftop museum, guiding participants through the town’s musical landmarks and spotlighting venues that significantly shaped Omagh’s musical history. Attendees also enjoyed a showband exhibition, highlighting the cultural impact of Omagh’s music scene.

A special film screening followed the trail, featuring Frank Chism’s iconic performances and his vibrant stage presence. Elvis Lives!, recorded live at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin in 1991, showcased Chism’s remarkable costumes and commanding showmanship, captivating audiences who enthusiastically wanted to see it again.
The festival’s grand finale took place to a full house in the Strule Arts Centre’s auditorium. The evening opened with a performance by local baritone Calvin Davidson, who delivered beloved songs by Frankie McBride, including Five Little Fingers, Have I Told You Lately That I Love You, and Sea of Heartbreak. He was followed by the powerful vocals of Gerarda McCann, who performed a lively selection, including These Boots Were Made for Walking and Rose Garden, drawing in the audience’s cheers and applause.

An outstanding 16-piece band supported the performances, featuring exceptional talents such as Jim McDermot on saxophone, Bob Quick on trombone, Ian Beehan and Robert Goodman on trumpet, Ryan Quinn on Keyboard, Paul Maguire on bass guitar, Aidan Dunphy on drums, Peter Doherty bass guitar and Jonathan Milligan on Steel guitar. All brought together with the beautiful vocals of Michelle Dunphy, Gerarda McCann and Joe Cuthbertson who also played guitar. An international string quartet with musicians from Donegal, Spain, and Romania brought an added layer of depth to the performance. The evening was beautifully scripted by Andrew Maguire, with Tom Sweeney’s captivating narration, sharing anecdotes, humour and poetry that celebrated Omagh’s musical heritage.

Following the interval, Michelle Owens honoured her father, Paddy Owens, with a heartfelt rendition of The Guitar Man, commemorating his contributions as one of Omagh’s first guitar players. New talent took centre stage as Conor Chism, grandson of Frank Chism, performed his grandfather’s best-loved Elvis Presley hits, including That’s Alright Mama, Hound Dog, All Shook Up, and Such a Night. Conor’s talents delighted the crowd, transporting them back in time.

A touching moment followed as Frank Chism joined Conor on stage to sing their favourite duet, It’s Now or Never. Frank then dedicated I Love You After All These Years to his wife Angela, leaving few dry eyes in the house. Conor returned for a rousing finale, performing Burning Love, Polk Salad Annie, and a stunning rendition of American Trilogy, prompting a standing ovation from the audience.

The Omagh Music Festival was a resounding success, celebrating music, heritage, and community pride. Attendees experienced an unforgettable weekend celebrating the legacies of Frankie McBride and Frank Chism and were inspired by emerging talents like Calvin Davidson and Conor Chism. This was a journey back to a time that lives on in the hearts of many and a look to the future, inspiring future generations, ensuring that the town’s vibrant music legacy will live on for years to come.

For more images of the Omagh Music Festival, please visit the Strule Arts Centre’s Facebook page: @StruleArtsCentre

The Omagh Music Festival is funded by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, with the concert presented in partnership with Together in Music.