Legendary songwriter coming to Waterford on his final Irish tour

Ralph McTell will be stopping off at the Theatre Royal as part of his 'Somewhere Down the Road’ autumn tour.

He will also be promoting his new album, 'The Timedrift of the Road', which will be released in September.

The British singer-songwriter announced that this will be his final national tour of Ireland and as a farewell it will see him return to venues across the country for one last run of live dates.

The tour will give music fans an opportunity to celebrate a remarkable career that has spanned over half a century.

The tour will see McTell perform 16 shows over a three-week period with the opening gig taking place in Navan on October 17 and the final date will be in Galway, on November 8.

The Waterford gig will take place on November 8.

The celebrated artist will turn 82 this year and the forthcoming tour will mark a significant chapter in both McTell's personal journey and his long-standing musical legacy.

Renowned for his warmth, storytelling, and enduring catalogue of songs, McTell’s relationship with Irish audiences stretches back more than five decades, beginning with his debut Belfast appearance in 1969.

In the interim, his relationship with Ireland has grown through performances in renowned venues across the country, where his storytelling continues to resonate with listeners of every generation.

Reflecting on the upcoming tour, he said his spring tour last year was a highlight of his year.

He said one of the unforgettable moments of the tour was the presence of President Higgins at his Dublin concert.

"I can’t wait to see you all again -somewhere down the road," he said.

'Somewhere Down the Road' coincides with the release of a special new album, 'The Timedrift of the Road', which will feature McTell’s songs reimagined by some of his favourite Irish artists, alongside a collection of brand-new recordings, making it both a reflection on his musical journey and a celebration of the connections he has built over decades of touring Ireland.

Ralph McTell has always been open with his audience, and in recent years, he has faced personal health challenges. Diagnosed with prostate cancer, he continues to tour and create music. This final tour promises to be a fitting and heartfelt farewell to Irish audiences who have supported him since his earliest appearances on the island.

Tickets for the ‘Somewhere Down the Road’ tour will go on sale Friday, January 23, www.ralphmctell.com

The full list of tour dates are comprised of: October 17, Navan (Solstice); October 18 - Castleblaney (Íontas); October 21 - Westport (Town Hall Theatre); October 22 - Sligo (Hawks Well Theatre); October 23 - Omagh (Strule Arts); October 24 - Derry (St. Columb’s Hall); October 25 - Dundalk (An Táin); October 28 - Dublin (National Concert Hall); October 29 - Belfast (Mandela Hall); October 30 - Armagh (Market Place); November 1 - Cork (Everyman Theatre); November 4 - Kilkenny (Watergate Theatre); November 5 - Ennis (Glór); November 6 - Tralee (Siamsa Tíre); November 7 - Waterford (Theatre Royal); November 8 - Galway (Town Hall Theatre).

Tickets go on sale Friday, January 23. For more information and bookings, visit www.ralphmctell.com