Covid concerns scuppers musician's first Cavan show

Don Mescall and Josh McClorey forced to postone gigs to 2022

The internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Don Mescall has announced a decision to postpone his planned debut show in front of a Cavan crowd due to the rising number of Covid cases in Ireland.

Don was scheduled to play songs from his best-selling album ‘Lighthouse Keeper’ at The Orchard Bar in Drumalee on Friday, December 3, 2021, at 8.30pm.

Writing on social media, Belturbet resident Don wrote: “After a lot of soul searching I have made a decision along with my talented band to postpone our gig at the Orchard Cavan.”

He said: “While I am thrilled to now that so many of you have booked to join us on December 3rd we feel it a huge responsibility to do the right thing and to keep us all safe.”

Don, who recently released his hit, ‘The Last Song', to raise funds for dementia-specific supports and services across the country concluded: “For now please follow the guidelines stay home stay safe and more importantly live long and rock and roll, don x”.

Don has been living in Belturbet around three years now, moving home and studio into the former Quivvy Church. The show has now been postponed to an as yet to be confirmed date in 2022.

Don is not the only Cavan musician who has had debut plans to play in front of a live audience placed on hold.

Last month fellow singer-songwriter Josh McClorey also postponed his first headline show at The Workman's Club on December 17 until next year.

“Sadly due to the uncertainty around COVID-19 cases and the Irish live music industry, I’ve made the difficult decision to postpone my debut headline show in Dublin until 2022,” announced Josh, who recently played Blessfest in Cavan.

“I’ve been buzzing to do this show for months and I’m absolutely gutted that we’ve had to make this call,” said Josh, who in 2021 released his much-anticipated Blessings EP.

All tickets for Josh's December 2021 will remain valid for the re-arranged date next year, which the Swellan musician himself says will be announced “asap”.

“Thank you all for the love and support. Josh x”.