It led to his move from the mainland to North-West Tasmania. His Kentish property full of rescue horses. And his musical restaurant in Sheffield.

With two Irish parents, it was no surprise his family grew up with music, and Mr McAlinden has played in bands and at folk festivals all around Australia.

Today, he runs Mountain Mumma, a “dinner and show” type restaurant in Sheffield.

But it’s not just the same old show every week.

Mountain Mumma attracts national and international acts to the little North-West “town of murals”.

“Our first show was Shane Howard. We’ve had all the Howards play here now I think,” he said.

Mr McAlinden and his partner Jenny Moroney moved to Tasmania nearly three years ago from Geelong, where they had been running a similar musical restaurant. 

“I’ve always been musical. My parents were Irish dancers and my sister was also very musical. We used to run a Celtic festival in Geelong, and I was also a concert promoter for years.

“From that, you get to know everyone, so that’s how I’m able to get those national and international artists. Often there would be singers and bands touring Australia, going to all the folk festivals and they’re looking for little in-between gigs, which is what we can offer.”

Mr McAlinden’s move into hospitality happened a little bit more by chance, though.

“We accidentally moved into the restaurant business. We started on the mainland as a lavender and herb farm and from there we added a cafe, which turned into a restaurant because the customers kept adding stuff to the menu.”

But, after battling with drought at their property in Victoria, the couple came to Tasmania in search of water.

They now live on a beautiful property with views of Mount Roland, North-West Tasmania's famous rolling green hills, and the Dasher River.

“The water and climate made us move here. We started out renting a farm in Wilmot and there were a couple of retired horses there, and when we moved to our farm in Sheffield, the real estate agent asked us what we’d miss most about the Wilmot farm, and we said, ‘the horses’.

“So they asked the landlord and we ended up bringing them with us. We now have five retired horses just eating grass. People hear you’re a softy and you end up getting a lot of rescue horses.

“The main thing we wanted was natural beauty and water, and we’ve definitely got that.”

This year is filling up with shows already, and Mountain Mumma has already hosted some impressive acts, like four-piece traditional Irish band, FourWinds during their month-long Australia tour.

Coming up next at Mountain Mumma is cellist and composer Jo Quail from the UK on February 24. Then on March 4, folk band The East Pointers from Canada.

Mountain Mumma’s “dinner and show” evenings include a three-course meal and gig.