Sheridan’s home gig
Scenic Session hits right note for Culture Night
A world class entertainer chose the Tin Church in Laragh, south Monaghan, to make his comeback after two years and the theme was unmistakeably ‘Home’. Ryan Sheridan was delighted that Monaghan Tourism invited him to play such a unique and intimate venue. The Monaghan Town native brought Scenic Sessions for this year to a close on Friday last, September 18, which dovetailed beautifully with Culture Night. During the performance Sheridan joked that the gig suited him down to the ground because it started at 4pm and was only 25 minutes long.
The singer-songwriter was relaxed, conversational and funny during his brief appearance, giving the audience an insight into the songs and what they meant to him. He used an electric acoustic guitar and the sound he created filled the tiny venue, his voice as rich and textured as his musicianship.
He didn’t waste any time either, kicking off with the fast-paced, lyric-packed Jigsaw, which got toes tapping immediately. He jokingly expressed relief when he got through the complicated song! It was a real treat to attend the free, pop-up performance, which was only announced 24 hours prior.
The homegrown talent, who has travelled the world, performed a number of hits and one brand new song 'Forever Ago' from his as yet unnamed forthcoming album.
His angelic voice complimented the stunning deconsecrated rural church beautifully. The venue was perfectly suited to the artist who told the Celt that he wanted to play there since he attended a gig at the location.
Speaking to the Celt just ahead of the announcement of the final Scenic Session for 2026, an excited Sheridan said: “I love playing at home… to get the opportunity to play in front of my home crowd in a beautiful setting is exceptional.”
During the gig Sheridan also revealed that, when Brendan O’Carroll asked him to write an emotional song for Mrs Brown's Boys D'Movie, he thought it an unusual request at first. However, having looked at the script, he realised that family was a strong thread running through it. So, the talented artist embraced the commission and penned ‘Home,’ which featured in the film.
“I didn’t think too hard about the title!” he quipped, recalling that he used his five-year international tour with Riverdance as inspiration. He recalled being terribly homesick and missing his mother’s home cooking. Both his parents were in the audience on the day and their pride was palpable. One of Sheridan's sons was also helping him backstage.
He also cast his mind back to lockdown when he, his partner, and their two young sons were at home together 24/7 for two years: “It was great!” he laughed. That time inspired him to pen a song about family entitled ‘Fine Wine’, because it helped him to take stock and appreciate everyday life away from the treadmill of the music business. The song earned him Acoustic Artist of the Year in 2023.
The singer spent his time away from the stage after a gruelling international tour productively by setting up a programme designed to support artists at every stage of their creative journey.
He told the Celt: “I just decided I'd take a couple of years out and set up a new artist development studio (in Dublin) called 1dB Artist Development to work with artists on developing their creative careers more so than their commercial careers. I've absolutely loved it.”
Sheridan was writing constantly too: “I decided to do a new album… out in February… This gig is just the perfect time to get back at it. This is the first gig I've played in two years and to be playing at home is very special indeed!”
He concluded his short but sweet set with 'The Dreamer', and placing the song at the end was a clever choice, as it gave the audience the chance to join in. As he sang the final chorus: “One, two, three, four, this is for The Dreamer, move it, do it, lose it, I’m…” and the crowd enthusiastically chimed, “Home.”
Scenic Sessions, which features the many talented artists from Monaghan and those who live in the county, will return for a third summer in 2027.
Delivered by Monaghan Tourism and Creative Monaghan, the 2026 programme featured an impressive line-up of artists performing intimate pop-up concerts across the county. Among this year's performers were Jamie Duffy, Andrew Grafton, Darragh Ó hÉiligh, Niamh Farrell and Podge McNamee (Ham SandwicH), Nedya Ivanova, Caitriona Sherlock, Gráinne Duffy, Paul Sherry, Ciarán Rosney and The Carrickmacross World Choir.
Fáilte Ireland, Monaghan County Council Arts Office and the Culture Programme for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026 support the series.