Who is Mark Leen?

A Life in Entertainment

For sixteen years Mark was known professionally as the Emerald Elvis, building a remarkable career as an Elvis tribute artist and becoming one of Europe's most successful performers in the field.

He was voted number one in Europe three times, became the first winner of the Porthcawl Elvis Festival and won the 2004 50th Anniversary of Rock 'n' Roll competition in London, organised by Elvisly Yours.

During his career Mark sold out the INEC in Killarney seventeen times and the Cork Opera House twice. His farewell to Emerald Elvis attracted more than 5,000 people over three nights.

During appearances in Killarney with the EAS and Expense Account Bands, Mark was joined on stage by artists and musicians associated with Elvis Presley including The Imperials Quartet, The Stamps Quartet, The Sweet Inspirations and Al Dvorin.

He has also appeared on stage with Tony Christie, Brendan Bowyer, DJ Curtin, Red Hurley and Dickie Rock, and in 2013 performed 33 sold-out dates with Reeling in the Showband Years. For three years he also worked on Funny Friday on RTÉ Radio 1.

Songwriter & Author

Alongside performing, Mark has written and recorded an extensive catalogue of original songs spanning easy listening, dance, big band, spiritual, Christmas and instrumental music.

His song The Old East End Tonight, performed by Gary Driscoll, features on the Gangster Tour of London bus and is played in connection with Fred Dinenage's acclaimed show about the Kray twins, Ronnie, Reggie and Me.

Mark is also an author. Among his published work is Curtin Call, the official biography of the life and times of DJ Curtin. His years as an Elvis tribute artist were themselves documented in the French Transborders coffee-table book Elvis Has Left America, filled with photographs from that extraordinary period of his life.

Entrepreneur & Property

Mark's career has always extended beyond entertainment. In 2011 he co-founded Rockman Publications with Peter Clifford. The advertising business grew from modest beginnings into a substantial company, developing high-quality, state-of-the-art backlit out-of-home advertising displays.

He has also undertaken property redevelopment projects. Among them was the transformation of the derelict former McQuinn's Butchers site in Tralee town centre. Mark gutted and completely redeveloped the building into what is today The Nu Place Café, which he owns with his wife Lynda. It is one of four properties he has rebuilt.

Web3 & The Next Chapter

Mark focused his attention on the world of Web3 early and built a considerable portfolio of key Web3 domain names after recognising the potential of the technology when Web3 domains first became available.

He is the founder of Web3 Yellow Pages, created to help make Web3 identities discoverable on the conventional searchable Web. His work in this area also includes BuyWeb3.store.

Giving Something Back

Mark has been involved in numerous charitable events throughout his career. Among his favourite memories are the Elvis Bed Push from Kenmare to Kilgarvan, a St John of God Golf and Elvis Weekend, and escorting children to Lourdes with the Irish Children's Pilgrimage Trust.

One of his two Cork Opera House performances, in January 2005, was staged with all proceeds going to Tsunami Relief.

Tralee

Mark has also contributed to the cultural memory of his home town of Tralee. He was the driving force behind the Christie Hennessy memorial and campaigned for the surrounding area to be renamed Christie Hennessy Place.

The memorial commemorating James Last at Austin Stack Park in Tralee was designed by Mark Leen, Billy Leen and Mary Leen. Mark wrote the wording for the memorial, which was sculpted by Billy.