The original cast of The Commitments for re-union tour

Yes it’s absolutely true, I was meant to get into see them all in their glory this morning in Liberty Hall but traffic meant I never made it. That said we still bring you the news that they will be playing a mini tour with no plans to record or tour again after this, so consider it a one off.

The cast will feature Andrew Strong, Robert Arkins, Angeline Ball, Bronagh Gallagher, Michael Aherne, Glen Hansard, Felim Gormley, Dave Finnegan, Ken McCluskey and Dick Massey for the 20th Anniversary re-union tour.

They will be hitting the road in March 2011 and will play The Royal Theatre, Castlebar on March 14th, The INEC Killarney on March 15th, The Odyssey, Belfast on March 17th and The O2, Dublin on March 19th.

Tickets will cost €55.80/€59.80 for all shows bar the Belfast date which of course is in sterling at £36 / £40, going on sale Friday October 15th at 9am. Profits from the tickets will go to the Irish Cancer Society with the aim of raising €30,000 for the cause.

Glen Hansard (Outspan Foster) said: “When I heard about the possibility of The Commitments reforming for a few shows it felt very welcoming, a perspective I wasn’t sure I’d feel. Andrew’s voice is on fire and the girls sound better than ever. It’s a real joy to stand behind him and the girls and watch them make us all look good. I’m just happy to be the guitar player again. We’re all older and hopefully wiser now and I look forward to getting down to work and catching up with everyone.”