Bagatelle vet brings new band '21 Bridges' to Castle Varagh

Walter (Wal) McConville, a celebrated musician from Dundalk, has returned to the live music scene with his new band, 21 Bridges.

Known for being a founder member of the iconic band Bagatelle in the 1980s, Wal contributed to hits like ‘Leeson St Lady’, ‘Rock n Roll Fantasy’, ‘Cry away the Night’, ‘Rock n Roll Drummer’, ‘Summer in Dublin’,’Trump Card’, and ‘Second Violin’, earning international acclaim alongside fellow Dundalk native Liam Reilly.

Growing up in Fr Murray Park as the youngest of four athletic brothers, Wal’s passion for music ultimately led him to join Bagatelle in the late 1970s, where the success of the band transformed his career. After a decade of touring, Wal left the group in 1993 but remained dedicated to music.

Now, Wal and 21 Bridges are touring their debut album, ‘The Flame of Love’. It features 10 original songs, co-written with Noel O’Neill (Collinstown) and Brendan Leavy (Clonmellon). The first single, ‘Goldmine’, showcases the band’s creative synergy, which began when Wal discovered Noel and Brendan performing Bagatelle covers.

Joining Walter, Noel (lead singer) and Brendan (musical director and keyboard) are Joey King (bass) and Pearse Clarke (lead guitar), and all are delighted to be on the road after months in the recording studio.

The lads were delighted to have the ‘Flame of love’ and all future original material signed up with Perfect Pitch Publishing for exclusive world rights, and will soon be back in the studio recording for their second album.

They recently announced that the great Joe Gallagher has signed 21 Bridges to support Smokie in Belfast, Derry and Monaghan on February 14-16 next (tickets at joegallagherentertainments.com). If you don’t want to wait for that, they are performing at the Castle Varagh Hotel in Castlepollard on Saturday, October 12; doors 8pm; tickets at the door or at Eventbrite.ie.

Find them on Facebook ‘21 Bridges Band’.