Entertainment

The Irish Rovers are rovin' right into Port Angeles. The group performs Irish music, traditional and new, at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 21, in the Port Angeles High School auditorium, 304 E. Park Ave.

The Irish Rovers started in Canada in 1963 when then 16-year-old George Millar and 23-year-old Jim Ferguson, both new emigrants from Northern Ireland, met at an Irish function in Toronto. They performed as a duo until George's cousin Joe Millar immigrated to Canada the following year.

Joe, who played button-key accordion and harmonica and sang traditional ballads, was recruited as he stepped off the plane. After several months of engagements around Ontario, the trio made their way to Calgary, Alberta, where they joined forces with George's brother Will Millar.

The group's second album produced the million-selling single "The Unicorn," still the band's signature song.

Wilcil McDowell, an old friend from Ireland, joined the band, enhancing the sound and rounding out the group.

The Irish Rovers perform in theaters around the world, with original members George Millar, Joe Millar and Wilcil McDowell. Will Millar retired in 1995 and Jim Ferguson died in 1997. Completing the Irish Rover line-up today are Kevin McKeown, who has been with the band since 1984, John Reynolds and Wallace Hood, who joined in 1995. Sean O'Driscoll, a multi-instrumentalist, often accompanies the band and plays on new Rover recordings.

For tickets - $37, $27 and $17 - or more information, contact nwperformingarts.com or call 457-9770.