Community & Business
13 February, 2026
Celtic band brings lively Summer Tunes to Irongate
Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC)’s Summer Tunes program launched on Saturday evening with Celtic rock band ‘Johnny Jump Up’ performing lively tunes at the Irongate Hall.
Marquees were set up outside the hall, and a barbecue dinner was prepared by volunteers of the Irongate Memorial School of Arts Inc. committee.
Homegrown watermelon was provided from the nearby property of “Taronga”.
The band, which hailed from Toowoomba, played traditional Irish music, jigs and folk songs in a relaxing atmosphere, all at the expense of TRC.
When the band members of Johnny Jump Up first Google-mapped the street view of the Irongate Hall, they were sceptical of a large turnout and wondered if they would be performing to the passing traffic.
It was an utter delight for them to have a crowd of over 90 turnout to enjoy the live performance!
The band was formed in 2004, and played its first St. Patrick’s Day concert at O’Shanley’s Irish Bar and Restaurant in Clifton.
Only one founding member remains after years of lineup changes.
The four current band members Mark Harland (original), Gerry McCann, Deborah Higgs and Darren McDonald, have been performing together for the last 10 years.
Gerry, who plays guitar and leads vocals, is a native of Ireland hailing from Dublin.
Mr Harland said he first became interested in Irish music because of its unique sound.
“The acoustic feel of it, playing with mandolins and violins, it just opens up a whole other genre, I just fell in love with it,” he said.
The Summer Tunes program continues for the rest of the month:
14 February - Rob Michel at Picnic Point.
21 February - Mathew Joseph at Boodua Public Hall.
28 February - Wayward at Cambooya Hall.
The free performances are a great way to spend a lazy Saturday between 4 and 7pm.
