Anyone who was a regular at the Fiddlestone in Belleek during the 1990's will remember Phonsie and Alan, whose presence always guaranteed a good night's craic.

The Belleek/ Bundoran duo [Phonsie Bogle and Alan Chapman] haven't played together for years, but they are reuniting this Friday to raise funds for Mencap and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

"There were some tight nights in the Fiddlestone over the years," said Phonsie. "It started when me and Alan were playing sessions all over the area, and in the Fiddlestone one new year's eve we had a great night. It just took off from there."

Las Vegas In The Hills Of Donegal was a sure hit, but the lads played folk, traditional, country and everything in between, sometimes with a bit of help from the regulars - Pauric Heron doing Boxcar Willie or Richard O'Loughlin torturing The Gambler, for example.

The duo separated when Alan went to play in Florida but now they are considering more gigs together. Alan explains: "I was playing with Michael Corbett as The Bogtown Rats and solo as The Bogtown Rat for the last six or seven months but it gets a bit lonesome.

"Phonsie said he and Farrah could join me, and that's a possibility. She's a fantastic musician [Phonsie's 15-year-old daughter is an Ulster fiddle champion who has mastered more than a dozen instruments], and as Phonsie says, it would be novel - he has a fantastic ballad voice and the two of us playing.

Raising money for Mencap and Marie Curie Cancer Care, Martin Freeburn is selling lines for £1 or 1.50 euro and the raffle prizes are weekends away in the Canal Court, Newry; the Park Hotel, Kiltimagh; the Gweedore Court Hotel; and the Helm, Westport.

Phonsie and Alan are back at the Fiddlestone this Friday night. Don't be late.