You Can Take The Rocker Out Of Greystones

Stuart & Ali with Cork Penny Dinners WEDS24JULY24

here was much gnashing of teeth and wailing of guitars when Stuart Crampton departed Greystones for The People’s Republic of Cork back in May 2019.

The lad, after all, had been a music teacher to many a young rocker here – including, of course, his sons, Whale faves Dylan and Elliot.

Not that the coolest axeman in town was about to abandon rock agus roll, Stuart and his better half, Ali, hitting their new West Cork home gunning with a series of one-off gigs. That these gigs would take place in wondrous out-of-the-way pubs only added to the vaguely illicit nature of these baseline sessions.

Their regular haunt is O’Donovan’s at Fisher’s Cross, a pub some visitors say is miles from nowhere – but, we’ve been there, and it’s actually very, very close to nowhere, with not a single house in sight when you step outside the front door of this country crossroads cracker.

The Galley Heads at O’Donovan’s 13JULY24

It was here on a hot July night that Stuart and Ali’s moveable feast of a band (think UFO, only with lots of hair) recently put on their latest live love-in. Having rolled some serious thunder in summer 2023 with their Dylan celebration, this time out, the self-explanatory night was called Never Mind The Ballads Here’s The Galley Heads.

Featuring music from such new wave icons as Blondie, The Clash, Talking Heads, The Undertones and The Pretenders, once again the gig featured an array of musicians and guest singers, all partying like it was 1979.

The Galley Heads SUN14JULY24

“We wanted to do something special with this one,” explains Stuart, “so, we decided to donate any money raised to Cork Penny Dinners, an incredible charity that simply feeds those in need. This kitchen has been in operation since 1888, and it’s just remarkable what Catriona Twomey and the gang achieve every single day.

“Beyond the hot evening meals and the afternoon sandwiches, they have a recovery program and a recovery halfway house, for those wanting to live with dignity again.”

In the end, The Galley Heads played two gigs this month – one in O’Donovans, the other in Shanley’s in Clonakilty – with Catriona swinging by to introduce each one. And over the two nights, Stuart, Ali and the gang raised a staggering €3,375.54. Which might come in handy for a charity without government funding.

“We were up with Catriona today, to deliver the cheque,” says Stuart. “And while we were there, we mucked in with making the sandwiches and food bags. We were both totally wrecked afterwards, so for these wonderful people to do this every day, hats off. They’re just incredible…”

We reckon Catriona and co will be feeling just the same way about their rocking new friends right now.

With branches in Cork, Dublin and around the country, you can find out more about Cork Penny Dinners right here, and donate right over here.