Final Borough Summer Concert Has Irish Flavor

The Morris County-based Irish band Dicey Riley will be making its way to the Morris Plains concert series for the third year this Sunday at 6 p.m. at .

The band has been playing around the area since 1998, and lead singer John McGoldrick said this is one of the band's favorite events and he is thrilled to return to the borough.

Normally the band plays in Irish pubs at night where they don't get to expose their music to a wide audience like they do at Roberts Garden, which is one of the things McGoldrick said he loves about coming to Morris Plains.

McGoldrick, of Flanders, said this may be the only outdoor concert they'll play this year, and he said the feedback from the audience is what makes this experience stand out from other concerts.

"This is a concert that in past years young children just start dancing on the grass in front of us, some folks will quietly sit in the shade and just tap their feet," he said. "It's just a very welcoming audience for us, which is a nice change from being in the background at a noisy bar."

McGoldrick, who plays the Irish flute, penny whistle, and guitar in addition to lead vocals, said typically when the band plays at Irish pubs they serve more as background music and aren't fully appreciated as opposed to playing outside at a family event.

"The age spread, the outdoor atmosphere, and the folks that have really come out specifically just to hear our music makes it much more enjoyable for us," McGoldrick said.

McGoldrick, along with musicians Kevin Johnson, Tommy Johnson, and Bill Timney will play their own original arrangements of traditional Irish music. They take traditional Irish songs and fiddle music, and come up with their own medleys. Typically the band plays about four pieces at a concert.

The four band members switch using different instruments throughout the concert–between the fiddle, mandolin, guitar, bodhran, penny whistle, and Irish flute, while also singing–which McGoldrick says makes the experience engaging for the audience.

"I think it gives folks something that's unique to watch," McGoldrick said.

Dicey Riley has performed at many venues around the area. They are frequents are the , and have also played at the , Assumption Church, and for benefit concerts.

McGoldrick said the audience should expect "fun, energetic music, and a sampling of the diversity of Irish music from folk songs, ballads, to traditional jigs and reels."

The concert, which starts at 6 p.m., will be the final event in the borough's concert series this summer. There are still a , including one with township committee member Daniel Caffrey on Tuesday.