Join us for Fran O’Toole: The Man & His Music

CualaLES at the United Nations

On October 17 CualaLES songwriters program performed their own original song and spoken word piece at the United Nations for International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The song addressed poverty, gentrification and displacement on the Lower East Side.

Thursday 31 July 2025 at 8pm

The Mermaid Arts Centre

Bray, Co. Wicklow

Phil Lynott Fran O’Toole “Ireland’s best soul singer”. At age 29 Fran had opened for The Who, recorded a solo TV special for RTE and was the star vocalist and songwriter of The Miami Showband. He was killed when the UVF ambushed the band on their way home from a show in Banbridge.

To mark the 50th anniversary of his death Cuala is producing a documentary about the beloved singer and songwriter who was on the verge of launching a solo career. The documentary will be screened at a special event at the Mermaid Arts Centre in Fran’s hometown of Bray, accompanied by an evening of song to celebrate his life and music.

Family photos courtesy of David O’Toole