Govannen's 30th anniversary concert at Leicester's historic Guildhall was a great success, and a sell out! Thanks to all who came to see us. Here is the setlist we played.

The 30th Anniversary Concert - setlist -
Set 1 - Herbert The Sherbet/Zakynthos, When Will We Be Married?, Sniff The Pony, Lifespell, Dakar to Dublin, Indian Tea, Wiccan Chicken Goat, The Storm.

Set 2 - Carousel, Wheelans Jig/Cooleys Reel, The Beggar, Galway Girl, Humours of Ennistymon/Burnt Old Man, Jazz Potato, A Stor Mo Chroi/Farewell To Erin, Fairytale Of New York, Merrily Kissed The Quaker/Blarney Pilgrim

Encore - The Close Of An Irish Day

Chris Conway tells the story of Govannen

Deja-vu? Footage from Govannen's St Patrick's weekend at the same 3 venues as last year! :-)

To celebrate 30 years of Govannen, we are releasing a new recording of The Hothouse Flowers song "Sweet Marie". Founder member Bridget McMahon joins us on it. hear it on Spotify

Why this song?
When Chris Conway & Dan Britton first met Bridget & Adele McMahon, the sisters were in their teens, singing this song in sweet harmony, at an open mic at The Royal Mail pub in Leicester. In 1993 Dan & the sisters formed a band to play at Molly O'Grady's and other Irish pubs & clubs in the city. They didn't have a band name but were sometimes called "The McMahons".

At bigger occasions, like St Patrick's Night where a bigger sound was needed Chris joined them on keyboards, Irish whistles & vocals. When Chris was asked to make a Celtic album for Paradise Records, he brought the others on board, and came up with the band name Govannen, after a Celtic god. That album was Healing Waters. More albums followed, for the label and for themselves, and Govannen were away!

Recently, by chance, Bridget ran into Hothouse Flowers leader, Liam Ó Maonlaí on a train! She told him she and her sister used to sing Sweet Marie, and Liam said he'd like to hear it. So we recorded it, and and we will send it to him!

Bridget & Adele McMahon - vocals
Dan Britton - acoustic & electric guitar, mandolin, bass, harmony vocals
Chris Conway - piano, organ, harmony vocals
Roger Wilson - violin
Damon Clarridge - drums

Produced by Chris Conway & Dan Britton.

footage from Govannen's St Patrick's weekend in and around Melton Mowbray at The Grange, Aasforby Hill, Eye Kettleby Lakes, & The Boat Inn.

The original Govannen line-up made a video using the Acapella app! Playing Spancil Hill - Dan, Adele, Chris & from Ireland, Adele's sister Bridget!.

Ceilidhs
Govannen also can provide Ceilidh Dances with our expert dance caller Neil Rabjohn for weddings, functions and parties. The focus on our ceilidhs is fun and informality - dance experience is not necessary and Neil will clearly guide you through the steps.

...and when you've had enough Ceilidh dancing...
As a break from the Ceilidh dancing or as a great way to round the evening off, Govannen can play a range of popular songs for everyone to have a bop.

Wedding 14th September 2019
So sorry it’s taken me SO LONG to write to you to say a huge thank you.
Having done a fair few ceilidhs, we really wanted to make sure we picked a charismatic band and caller- you guys nailed it. So many of our guests who don’t usually dance were up on the floor, and the photos are brilliant! I only wish we’d had a bigger dance floor for everyone. - Victoria & Aled


Wow!! What a party on Saturday!  I loved every minute!  The band were brilliant!!! - so many praising comments from my guests! - Thank you SO much for treating me so specially and for your enthusiasm, creating a fab and fun atmosphere!  Can't wait to do it again! Love and thanks to you. - Diane, Tilsworth


"Thank you so much – I had such a great time.  Everyone loved you – the mix of music was perfect. Thank you all so much for a really memorable evening" - Donna, Bedfordshire


"Just wanted to say a really huge thank you to Govannen for the live music at our party.
It was a fantastic night - everyone throroughly enjoyed themsleves and the band contributed immensley to the atmosphere and fun we all had. They were brilliant in every way. Discreet setting up, flexible in their timing and responsive to the moods and tastes of our guests. I received so many positive comments about the night and most mentioned how impressed they were with the quality of the musicians. There was a splattering of Irish among the guests too, who enjoyed every minute! The band played some great choices of music and certainly got everyone up on the dance floor, which is what I had hoped for." - Sally and Andy, Rutland


"We just wanted to say a big thank you to you and the rest of Govannen for helping to make our wedding day so special. Everybody loved the band and the music/dancing was everything we wanted and more" - Jo & Dan, Rutland.


"We are back from honeymoon now and I just wanted to thank you for making our wedding so special. We have had so many people tell us how great they thought you were" - Emma, Leicestershire


"I wanted to get in touch and say thank you again for the fantastic music & service you provided during our wedding .... was really pleased at how much everyone enjoyed the music, and the dancing - we have had lots of positive feedback. John deserves a medal I think for managing to whip everyone into (some sort! of) shape. We had a lovely day, but you definitely made our evening." Heather & Tim, Bedfordshire

Dan Britton
Chris Conway
Chris Conway & Dan Britton page
Roger Wilson
Oblong Music
Paradise Music

For bookings please email us with date, time, place and the type of event - eg ceilidh, concert, wedding, etc...

Booked us and would like a Govannen blank A4 poster? - download it here

You can also contact us through our agents -
DGMusic Agency
Bandsandmusicians agency
Counties Folk Agency