.. a series of intimate shows at Daghdha Space, St. John’s Church, Limerick. The first two shows to be announced as part of the series are Declan O’Rourke on Saturday September 25th, followed by a very special date with Bell X1 on Friday, November 19th as part of their national acoustic tour.

Taking advantage of a perfect room for live music, eightball.ie have announced Declan O’Rourke and Bell X1 as the latest to join the list of artists eager to experience both the room and an audience of no more than 250 people. With more dates to be announced in the coming weeks, these two shows follow an impressive list of shows to date which has seen The Swell Season, Lisa Hannigan, Damien Dempsey, Tommy Tiernan, Donal Dineen and Andrew Maxwell all step onto the John’s Church altar in the last 18 months.

Declan O’Rourke used to be one of Ireland’s best kept secrets, but rave reviews for his debut album ‘Since Kyabram’, a growing international fanbase and an enviable collection of eminent devotees, including Paul Weller, Snow Patrol and Kate Rusby, are rapidly changing that.

  On its release in Ireland, ‘Since Kyabram’ reached double platinum status and garnered Hot Press magazine’s ‘Best Debut Album’ award. A major record deal with V2 and a publishing deal with BMG followed, as did patronage from his peers – invitations to support Snow Patrol at Marlay Park in Dublin, Teddy Thompson on his UK tour, The Divine Comedy for dates in Germany and the U.K., and to perform at the legendary 100 Club at the request of Paul Weller.

 The excitement around him grew, based on the simplicity of great songs and a unique voice. Declan’s lyrics touch on all aspects of the individual, his songs focus on everyday emotions and his voice irresistibly draws the listener in. He has an understated charm, a quick-wittedness that make him highly endearing live and equally at home playing to one person as he is to thousands.

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the release of their debut album, ‘Neither Am I’, Bell X1 are undertaking a special acoustic tour of Ireland this November which will see them return after a long hiatus to some of the venues they played on that first album tour.

Having just played a key slot on the Main Stage at Oxegen 2010, the band are looking forward to stripping things back and performing songs from the entire catalogue as well as debuting some new ones. News of a similar tour in North America were released earlier this week. Bell X1 have spent most of the year writing songs for their 5th Studio Album — due for release in Spring 2011.

Tickets for the eightball.ie’s autumn:winter collection at Daghdha are limited to 250 and are available in advance from Euro Empire, O’Connell Street, Limerick on 061-317211.