The first concert in the newly restored Old Church Centre in Cushendun has been hailed as success, selling out weeks in advance.

Runabay,  a group of six talented young men from the Glens of Antrim, have created new Irish music that builds on traditional and folk foundations, but with a modern feel and rhythm.

The band filled the Old Church Centre with their original, atmospheric and soulful sound on Saturday 31 August .

The name of the band is particularly poignant as it is taken from Runabay Head which lies a few miles north of Cushendun.

Bridgeen Butler from the Old Church Centre said, “What a fantastic first full concert in such a beautiful setting. All of the band are local with one of the guys reared not far from the centre. As a boy he spent many days playing in the woods around the church, and now as a man, has returned to play his music inside it! A very poetic circle in his life.

“Rumour has it that the band may come back and perform for us again, so watch the website for details of this and other events in our evolving programme.”

Cushendun Building Preservation Trust has begun an ambitious plan to grow a programme of activities bringing quality arts and music to the Glens in a beautifully unique venue. The church offers a special ambience and classic church acoustics.

The venue is also available for hire for meetings, weddings, social events, exhibitions and heritage talks and seminars.

For more information, please check out the Old Church website www.theoldchurchcentre.com or contact Bridgeen on Bridgeen@cushendunbpt.org.