The Historic walls of King Johns Castle will rock to the sounds of internationally known Diamond Head and other top groups on July 22-all in aid of Our Ladys Hospital Crumlin.

Two Limerick bands Soloway and Dethhelm, will figure on the same programme.

Soloway, a teenage thrash metal band, have featured in RTEs Coca Cola Blastbeat and won a Tipperary Battle Of The Bands competition.

US band The X Brothers, featuring Joe Bouchard, formerly of Blue Oyster Cult and We're All Gonna Die, will also take to the stage.

The concert is organised by Limerick-born Dr Michael Conway, a Kilkenny-based cardiologist, whose aim is to raise substantial funds for childhood leukaemia research at Crumlin.

The rock concert will take in several regions around Ireland but the highlight is Limerick.

"Im extremely grateful to everyone who has chosen to support this initiative,” said Dr. Conway, son of the legendary Billy Conway, a well-known band leader in his time.

"All the artists are performing free and King Johns Castle has been made available by Shannon Heritage. I organised another fund-raiser back in the 80s, when I was working in the Regional Hospital, and it was also at the Castle before they renovated it so I thought it would be great to go back.

"Diamond Head are a huge rock group and incredibly popular among those in their late teens and early twenties. Theyre the original in a new revival of heavy metal that include groups known as the ‘Princes of Rock’ and theyve made a huge comeback recently.

"As well as raising vital funds, the concert will introduce young Limerick musicians to some of the seminal influences of rock music”.

Dr. Conway concluded, "We’re seeking corporate sponsorship and welcome any contributions local businesses can make so that more money can be directed toward the research. It is a very important cause”.

Tickets are 25 euro, from Music Lane, Fox’s Bow, off William Street, or through the website www.tickets.ie.