Former Bagatelle drummer links up with Clonmellon musicians in new band

The former Bagatelle musician Walter McConville says he’s looking forward to performing around Mullingar with his bandmates in the newly formed 21 Bridges. They include other well known musicians on the local scene, Brendan Leavy, cousin of Matt Leavy, the country singer, Noel O’Neill, Joey King and Pearce Clark.

Walter is a native of Dundalk, and he and Liam Reilly were key members of the legendary Bagatelle. He now lives Inniskeen, County Monaghan (Patrick Kavanagh country).

He told the Westmeath Examiner that a husband and wife who live near him sent him a video of two musicians playing Bagatelle songs. “I remember thinking they were interesting, because they did the songs better than a lot of people I heard before,” said Walter.

“I inquired who they were and made contact with Brendan and Noel – they came to my house and we discussed the possibility of working together.

“Even though they hadn’t written original songs before, the lads took to it like ducks to water, and our first album (from 21 Bridges), The Flame Of Love, has 10 original songs and is now available on Amazon, iTunes, TikTok, YouTube and Spotify.

“We recorded The Flame Of Love in journey’s end recording studio near Clonmellon, owned by Mark Ready, who engineered and mixed it.”

21 Bridges launched their album on 4 May in the Headfort Arms Hotel in Kells, and they have signed a worldwide deal with the largest publishing company in Western Australia.

“As the band rehearse and record in Clonmellon, we are looking forward to playing in Mullingar and surrounding areas,” said Walter.

Walter said the name of the band comes from the film 21 Bridges, about a New York detective, and the 21 bridges between Chapelizod and East Wall in Dublin.