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Arts & Entertainment

Noel Cooney Brings Irish Ballads to Town Saturday

Meet the Artist: Cooney is back at Flanagan's Irish Pub this weekend.

Name:  Noel Cooney

Hometown: Dublin, Ireland

Time in Dunedin: 31 years

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Keys to Awesomeness: Fresh from touring Illinois, Noel Cooney serenades patrons of  in downtown Dunedin weekly with his passionate Celtic-folk drinking tunes. He's known for his entertaining interaction with the crowd. He's part-owner of the pub and the main attraction at the crazy street party each year in front the bar. He's a former actor and toured Ireland for years before coming to America, landing first in Orlando.  Cooney and his wife, the other owner of Flanagan’s, organize a tour of Ireland each year, aiming to take as many as 50 people each trip.

How did you get your start?

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"I got my start in Ireland playing guitar and banjo."

Where can people hear your music?

"People can hear my music at Flanagan's Irish Pub in Dunedin.  I travel out of state, too — Chicago, Atlanta, California. Locally, it would be Orlando and Brandon."

What keeps you doing it?

"I love folk music, and that's what keeps me going. It's not a huge scene, which makes it fun."

What or who are some of your inspirations?

"Pete Seger, Tom Paxon, The Dubliners, lots of Irish and folk music influences and Eric Bogle."

Any advice for musicians just starting out?

"You have to love it, first of all.  You have to keep at it. You need to be on the phones constantly."

Join Noel Cooney performs Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Flanagan's Irish Pub. No cover. See the full calendar of performances.

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