When Charlie McGettigan launched his book ‘Forever a Rock n Roll Kid at the end of 2022 a launch party was held at The Jackaloupe restaurant in Drumshanbo. Lots of Charlie’s musical friends  from down the years turned up and there was one helluva party. Charlie’s grandsons Padraig and Cathal sang and played. Jimmy Gallagher from Charlie’s teenage years joined Charlie on stage and Eamonn and Orla Daly entertained the audience with their usual unique selection of songs. Paul Harrington officially launched the book with the composer of ‘Rock n Roll Kids’ Brendan Graham in attendance. However when the members of Jargon hit the stage there was a huge reaction to their music.

Who or what is Jargon? Well, the band was formed in 1974 when Eamonn Daly and Charlie came together after reaching the Connaught finals in the GAA Scor Competition. They continued as a duo for a few years but eventually Eamonn left the band as he wished to give his full attention to teaching at Carrigallen Vocational School. The band went through many personnel changes but the combination of Brendan Emmett, Gerry Grennan, Liam Gilmartin and Charlie were offered a recording contract with Polygram Records after winning the Letterkenny Folk Festival in 1982.

Jargon went on to achieve great success with songs like ‘Bailieboro and Me’, ‘ The Singer’ and ‘Hey Mr Dreamer’. Eventually however the band drifted apart as different members  achieved success in other areas of music. Liam joined Stockton’s Wing, Brendan worked with Frances Black and Makem and Clancy, and Gerry with others including Dolores Keane.

After enjoying the reaction they received at the book launch Jargon have come together again after nearly forty years to relive the heady days of the 80s. With their unique combination of Folk, Blues, Bluegrass and beyond, Jargon still sound as fresh as they did back then so the band are now doing concerts again,

It’s wonderful that the first of their concerts will be at the Corn Mill Theatre in Carrigallen as it’s one of Charlie’s favourite venues both as an audience member and as a stage performer.