Damien Dempsey announces biggest December residency to date

Irish singer-songwriter Damien Dempsey has announced he will return to Dublin’s Vicar Street for the biggest residency of his career to date, with seven shows in December.

The announcement comes ahead of his show this Friday at Iveagh Gardens.

Tommy Tiernan, Bell X1 and Lisa O’Neill have also held residencies at the venue in the past.

Dempsey’s songs explore themes of identity, social justice and family. His inspirations span Bob Marley, Christy Moore and Shane McGowan, among others.

His latest release, studio album Holywell, named after the Donaghmede housing estate of his youth, came out last month.

The record, the artist explained, came from songs he “heard as a child, sung by my elders in houses and pubs at singsongs. Some are centuries old, and many people don’t know them. For me, they’re like a holy well.”

The album's lead single, 'The Mickey Dam,' was recorded in Wicklow's Big Tree studio with long-time collaborator John Reynolds and is his take on a traditional Irish song by Franke Hart.

Dempsey recently finished up an extensive tour around Ireland and the UK, including shows in Kilkenny, Killarney, Belfast, London and Bristol.

Earlier this month, Hot Press interviewed the artist, speaking about his music, Gaeilge, Miriam Margolyes, Sinéad O'Connor and more.

“We’ve a treasure trove of Gaelic gold in this land, and it’s great to see young people are getting back into it,” he said.

Shows will run December 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22 and 23.

Tickets will be available for presale tomorrow, July 14, at 10 am here.