A Leonard Cohen tribute act from Wicklow is set to bring their nationwide tour to the Garden County next month, as well as making a stop at the venue that staged their first concert.

Cohen Unlimited are a group of Irish musicians formed by singer and guitarist Robert Doyle, and electric and Spanish guitarist and musical director Fergal Cantebury, to create a show called Thanks for the dance – The Leonard Cohen Story.

The show features the poems and songs of the legendary Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen, while Robert tells stories and anecdotes between the songs about Cohen’s life, the story behind the songs and about meeting Cohen.

The stage is set to appear like Cohen’s last world tour and features a visual display of his life running in the background.

The band are based in Wicklow town, apart from Rob who now lives in Spain, and are all lifelong musicians, from backing singers Louise Jameson, Jhil Quinn and violinist Enid Conaghan, to bass guitarist Ben Dunne, drummer Keith Pogue, keyboard player Chiara Brown, and lead guitarist, Fergal Cantebury.

Lead-singer Robert has performed charity shows for 40 years, but only turned professional the week he got his pension in September 2021.

He has been singing Leonard Cohen songs since he discovered him aged 14, after attending one of his concerts in Zurich in 1979. Robert got the opportunity to meet Cohen after the concert, when he asked the Wicklow youngster to sing for him and his band.

In 2024, the band played their first gig in their hometown of Wicklow, after a three-year search for a suitable venue.

They returned to Wicklow town in March last year for a fundraising concert for Wicklow RNLI at Wicklow Golf Club, which was particularly close to Robert’s heart as he is a former RNLI volunteer crew member.

Last year Cohen Unlimited sold out every performance, including at The Gaiety Theatre in Dublin.

Their latest tour hits the Republic of Ireland on September 19 when they perform at the Tuar Ard Arts Centre in Moate.

Next stop is the Gorey Little Theatre in Wexford on September 26, which is the same venue where Cohen Unlimited played their first two concerts five years ago, followed by VISUAL Carlow on October 2, and the Theatre Royal in Waterford on October 3.

The band then comes to the Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray on October 7, with all performances starting at 8pm.

Tickets are available at cohenunlimited.com.