CELTIC New Age music is all the rage right now, but when leather-clad London-Irishman James McNally plays his tin whistle, he makes it sound like good old- fashioned rock `n' roll. The multi instrumental McNally launched his debut album, Everybreath, at the POD's Red Box on Thursday night, and musicians including Paul Brady and Sinead Lohan came to hear the Lord of the Whistle at work

And just in case you thought that soft-textured instrumental versions of The Pogues and The Police were a bit tawdry, fashion designers John Rocha and Michael Mortell were also there to add the stamp of style to the proceedings. Mr Rocha is getting ready for next week's Paris shows, where he will unveil his new autumn line in men's wear, and Irish shoppers will shortly be able to buy his designs again at such outlets as Alias Tom. Incidentally, Mr McNally's girlfriend, Lou Brennan, works for John Rocha.

Also enjoying the gentle strains of McNally's music were broadcasters Shay Healy, Ray D'Arcy and Andy Ruane, television producer Gerard Heffernan and his wife Susan, and former Commitments Dick Massey and Johnny Murphy. Massey is now a member of The Committed, an offshoot of the fictional film band, who regularly tour in such far-flung places as Brazil.

McNally's family hails from Co Mayo, but the artist himself lives in the inspirational surroundings of Britain's Peak District; he has toured with U2 and collaborated with Brian Kennedy, and once played tin whistle with rowdy Anglo-Irish band The Pogues. Although his solo music is not nearly as boisterous, he displayed a talent for comedy which kept the audience amused between each song, and he delivered a suitably upbeat finale with just tin whistle, electric guitar and a bottle of champagne.