Athy man making waves in London

A few weeks back I wrote about Athy man Paul O’Neill and his band, The Roving Crows, who are taking the folk music circuit in the UK by storm. Not to be outdone his nephew, Joe O’Neill, is also making waves on the entertainment scene in London. 

Joe is a son of Kevin O’Neill of St Joseph’s Terrace and a grandson of the musician and music teacher, the legendary, Joe O’Neill. Having studied Performing Arts at Bull Alley Theatre Training Company; Joe worked with various theatre companies around Dublin and Kildare but the bright lights of London soon beckoned, and like so many talented Irish actors and artists before him he packed his bag and set off to conquer the world of show business, but it was not as simple as that. 

In a recent interview with The Irish World publication Joe revealed that ‘when I came over here and I didn’t know anyone and I thought if I am feeling like this, there’s going to be loads of other people that feel like this, and that turned out to be the case'. 

Soon after arriving in London, Joe established the Irish Creative Collective. The Irish Creative Collective are a company based in London dedicated to showcasing, supporting and bringing together Irish musicians, actors, poets and writers throughout the city. The group first met three years ago when just 8 people showed up at Maddens in East Finchley, more recently they packed out the Irish Cultural Centre for a performance by Declan O’Rourke. Joe and company have hosted events in venues right across the capital. 

‘Ever since the Irish Creative Collective was established in April of 2022 our express goal has been to bring together, support & showcase Irish Creatives (of all generations) in London. 

‘Earlier this year on our return to the most wonderful Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith for our 'Celebration of Irish Creatives of mixed heritage Night' we got to fully realise just how far we have come on this journey. Thanks to everyone who has been there since day one and who have been so amazingly supportive. Thanks to everyone who has joined us along the way and thank you to all the beautiful Creatives we have had the chance to showcase and to all the venues that have supported us.’ 

The Irish Creatives celebrated their third birthday last weekend in the London Irish Centre with Gareth Freiheit, Erin Bradley, Blánid, The London Irish All Stars and a host of other guests dancing and singing until the dawn rose over the Thames. Congratulations Joe, Keep the flag flying.