Johnny McEvoy

Johnny McEvoy has long been regarded as one of Ireland's finest entertainers. He became a national name back in the mid 1960s when he topped the Irish charts during the ballad boom years with songs like 'Muirsheen Durkin', and 'The Boston Burglar'. More recently, Johnny has recorded some wonderful country songs including an album entitled, 'Johnny McEvoy sings Hank Williams', which remains a cherished collector's item to this day.

Born in Banagher, Co Offaly, Johnny developed an early interest in music and after he moved to Dublin in the early sixties, he started his career playing in the City Folk Clubs. Hit record followed hit record and he has enjoyed the kind of success that most entertainers only dream about. Johnny has toured all over the world and presented TV shows in Ireland, America, Canada and the UK.

As a songwriter, McEvoy is in a league of his own and is surely among the best writers this country has produced over the last three decades. His songs are haunting, evocative and beautiful with many in the folk and ballad style. The concert arena allowed McEvoy the freedom to display his vast stagecraft as one of the most professional performers in Ireland today. This was Johnny's first visit to Coalisland in almost 30 years when he played in the old parochial centre. He was very impressed with the facilities at the CRAIC theatre and he certainly put on a superb show for the capacity crowd.