Interview with Ken Doyle from Bagatelle

Legendary Irish band Bagatelle are to be honoured by their hometown of Bray this September. Official unveiling ceremony of a commemoration bench will take place on Sunday, September 7 at Bray Head, Co. Wicklow organised by Bray County Council to honour Liam Reilly & John O’Brien of Bagatelle fame will take place at 4pm.

Unveiling will be officially carried out by Cathaoirleach Bray County Council Erica Doyle. Bagatelle founder member and bass player Ken Doyle will be there on the day. The unveiling ceremony will be followed by Bagatelle and Friends playing in the Bandstand on Bray Seafront. Opening act on the day will be Katie Cloke.

Formed in Bray in 1978, Bagatelle, achieved several No.1 Singles with iconic songs like ‘Summer in Dublin’, ‘Second Violin’ and ‘Trump Card’. They also have enjoyed multi-platinum and gold album sales with classic emigration songs like ‘Streets of New York’, ‘Flight of the Earls’ and ‘Boston Rose’, all written by front man Liam Reilly. Bagatelle have been acknowledged for paving the way for other Irish bands back in the 1970’s inspiring bands like U2 to play their own songs and were closely associated with Sinead O’Connor and Shane MacGowan. They also played alongside Bob Marley for his iconic 1980 Dalymount Park show.

Following the death of Bagatelle lead singer Liam Reilly on January 1, 2021, TG4 aired a documentary about him. 'Bagatelle - Ómos do Liam Reilly', first aired New Years Eve 2021, a year after Liam Reilly’s untimely passing. The remaining members of the band then decided to go back on the road to celebrate the Life of Liam Reilly, his music and the Bagatelle Legacy.