Join us on June 6th as we host a commemorative gig celebrating County Mayo’s lasting legacy in the D-Day landings of World War 2. With Lisa Canny headlining and an opening set from HUX, this is sure to be a night you won’t want to miss.
Maureen Flavin Sweeney was just 21 years old when she forecast a drastic weather change from her post in County Mayo on Ireland’s west coast, a forecast that would end up delaying the invasion. She worked with her husband, Ted, both of whom were tasked with hourly barometer readings in the lead up to the landings.
The D-Day landings were a years-long planned invasion of Normandy, a start to the campaign of freeing north-west Europe from Nazi-German Occupation. This was the largest invasion by sea in history.
Sweeney’s observations greatly swayed the American and British teams of forecasters who urged that the invasion be delayed a day
Originally, the invasion was to take place on June 5th 1944, but at 13:00 on June 3rd, Sweeney was the first to forecast a severe storm approaching Western Europe from the Atlantic Ocean. Despite Ireland being officially neutral during the war, the Irish Meteorological Service shared this, and all crucial weather information, with the Allies.
These observations greatly swayed the American and British teams of forecasters who urged that the invasion be delayed a day to await ideal weather conditions.
The D-Day landings occurred on June 6th 1944, and marked the start of the defeat of the Nazi regime.
Sweeney was awarded a special US House of Representatives honour in 2021, and in December last year Maureen Sweeney died peacefully.
On June 6th 2024, 80 years on since the invasion, we are hosting a gig at the Fiddler’s Elbow, Camden, to commemorate the combined efforts that lead to the D-Days landings with a County Mayo rock-star fronting the night.
Named Future Music’s Songwriter of the Year, BBC America’s “Top Ten Acts you don’t want to miss”, and 7-Time All-Ireland champion harp and banjo player, multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Lisa Canny is a force to be reckoned with. Famously-reviewed as a “Disgrace to the tradition”, she will bring you on an emotional rollercoaster and leave you feeling electrified.
From the heart-wrenching sorrow of her dark acoustic ballads to the high-energy, foot-stomping, banjo-driven-madness of her breathtaking showstoppers, this show is unlike ANYTHING you’ve seen before. Bring your tissues and your dancing shoes.
Lisa will be supported by Australian musician HUX. Since moving to the UK, HUX has been working the London circuit, most notably selling out The Bedford and Colours, as well as landing a support slot with Robbie Williams.
Characterised by his soulful lyricism and catchy, contemporary melodies, along with a string of new releases all through resulting in his debut Album in 2023, HUX is definitely one to get on your radar.
For one night only at the Fiddler’s Elbow Camden, join us for a D-Day celebration like no other. Get your tickets before they sell out through the link below.