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When a good Irish singer/songwriter comes to Marco Island and the audience truly enjoys him, that’s one good reason to bring him back again. So once more, you’re in for a real treat. Harry O’Donoghue returns to Cathy O’Clarke’s Irish Pub & Grill tonight through Sunday for more of his strictly Irish songs.

Some of the songs are the Irish standards everyone recognizes. Some are folk songs, and others are his original songs, although he does on occasion do other types of music. But he stated that at Cathy O’Clarke’s, he will do strictly Irish songs.

Playing an acoustic guitar, he also plays the skin drum (bodhran). Like most Irish songs, they reflect storytelling. As interesting as they can be, there’s also a lot of hoopla with Irish music, so you’ll hear a combination of rhythms.

According to O’Donoghue, he met Mel Slawik in a club in Charleston, South Carolina about six years ago. “We spoke after my performance and Slawik handed me a business card. I called him later and the rest is history. I’ve been at Cathy O’Clarke’s quite a few times in the last few years,” said O’Donoghue.

Originally from the east coast of Ireland, O’Donoghue says he first came to the United States on Mother’s Day in 1980. He started playing the guitar at the age of 20 and he’s been playing now for 28 years. He’s never had guitar or singing lessons.

Traveling back and forth to Ireland several times a year to perform with well known Irish musicians such as The Wolftones and others, he says he also takes people on tours to his native country. “I’m doing a tour from June 8 to June 16 and another in July. My Web site will give you the entire itinerary and application for the June tour if anyone is interested in going,” he continued.

“The people who go on the tours come from a range of venues, including festivals, concerts, conventions, clubs and private parties. That includes people from Cathy O’Clarke’s,” he mentioned.

O’Donoghue has taken people on three tours in the last two years. He also did a musical tour at a number of colleges last April singing his Irish songs. His calendar is full and his next concert will be at St. Simon, Georgia.

Generally starting his gig at 7:30 p.m., he stated, “Marco Island is kind of an early island and I try to get to the dinner crowd and later on pick up the pace, play, sing and tell jokes. I’m Irish! We always tell jokes. Life is just one continuous joke.”

To find out more about Harry O’Donoghue or listen to his music, visit his Web site at www.harryodonoghue.com.

Cathy O’Clarke’s Irish Pub & Grille is located at 591 S. Collier Blvd. Phone: 642-9709.