OMAGH born singer/songwriter Ciaran McElhinney is to support Belfast man Bap Kennedy at a special concert in aid of suicide awareness charity PIPS Programmes.

Ciaran, 39, who has worked every job from bar manager, waiter and hospital porter to painter, decorator and outdoor pursuits instructor working with young offenders - writes music on a daily basis and is currently working on original music for a forthcoming release later this year.

The singer who grew up in Omagh said he is “delighted” to be invited by Bap to join the bill.

He said: “To be asked by an artist as well respected and well known as Bap to join the line-up of any event is incredible but to get the opportunity to do it for such a worthwhile charity is absolutely fantastic.

“There are some fantastic acts on the bill and I’m really looking forward to hearing each one, especially Bap’s new outfit The Breadheads. I got a chance to see them at the Dalriada Festival earlier this year at Glenarm Castle and they sure know how to put on a party.” Ciaran is influenced by everything from Rock, Metal, Blues, Bluegrass and Country to Americana, Irish and Folk and his own style is a local brand of Blues and Americana meets Bluegrass meets Rock.

Over the last two years he has played a number of high profile gigs from performing at the Maiden City Festival in Londonderry, GrassStock Bluegrass festival in Belfast, supporting blues legend Henry McCullough at The Belfast Barge as part of the Belfast Blues Festival and supporting Tom Baxter at The Empire Music Hall, he also supported Mike Denver at the Dalriada Live Festival at Glenarm Castle. Due to his versatility in his music styles Ciaran has even supported rock legends Blaze Bayley and Ashanti as well as tribute acts such as UU2 (U2), ABCD (ACDC) and The Dolly Show (Dolly Parton).

In 2013 he recorded and released his debut 6-track EP of original music called Stepping Off The Roundabout which shot straight into the top five of the local Belfast rock charts on Reverbnation peaking at number two where it sat in the top 20 for over 10 weeks. Ciaran will donate his time alongside a number of local musicians and bands for the PIPS Programmes charity concert in memory of Natania Hagan and Graham Ross, two young people who tragically took their own lives last year.

Organised by friends Martin Hannah and Conor Galbraith the event line-up includes well known band Rosetta Stone who will make a return to the stage after decades.

Also taking to the stage is headliner Bap Kennedy, local covers band Pretty Tied Up, acoustic artist Damian Hanna (Holywood) as well as Lisburn band The Couth.

Completing the line up will also be well known Rory Gallagher tribute The Barry McGivern Band Tickets for the PIPS Programmes Festival Concert this Saturday at the Delamont Walled Garden in Killyleagh are £10 and available by calling the Down Arts centre on 028 4461 0747 or logging on to www.wegottickets.com/event.