TP's tune to fly the flag for Ireland
A Song for Ireland. TP Ó Conchúir (centre) has won the Pan Celtic National Song Contest with his entry 'Corca Dhuibhne' played and sung by Na Tabhairneoirí, from left, John Benny Ó Muircheartaigh, Aoife Ní Ghrainbhéil, Danno O'Keeffe, Normán Ó Conchúir... Credit: Photo by Ted Creedon
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Wednesday March 10 2010
NIAMH Kavanagh will represent Ireland in this year's Eurovision Song Contest but her win in the National Song Contest wasn't the only national song contest winner to be decided last Friday.
The song, 'Corca Dhuibhne' written by Ballydavid publican TP Ó Conchúir and perfomed by na na Tabairneoirí, will represent Ireland in the Pan Celtic Song Contest which will be held as part of the international festival in Dingle next month. The win was announced by the Irish Pan Celtic committee on Friday and, naturally, its composer was delighted with the news.
"I wrote this song a few years ago as an anthem for the local rugby club but they didn't take it up, so to speak. I thought the song should be in Irish because the club is in the Gaeltacht and that it would be great to have a song from the area," T P told The Kerryman.
"I have written a few songs over the years. I wanted a song that was catchy and simple. I wrote the words first and then brought in the music. The song is about love of place, of the heritage of the area and it's about generating hope for the future," he explained.
He first showed the song to well known local musician, and fellow publican, Fergus O'Flaherty who believed it could be shaped into a Pan Celtic competition entry.
"Then we brought in a few more people including John Benny Moriarty, Aoife Granville and my son Normán and we recorded the song in Ben Moriartys' home studio and sent it off. We're absolutely delighted with the win and with the fact that it's going to represent Ireland in the international finals in Dingle. We're going to make a lot of improvements to the song and will spend a lot of time rehearsing until we get it right. There's great excitement in the area about this song now. We know we'll have tough competition from Wales in the final. They have a great song this year – but they haven't met this parish yet!" he declared.
The Pan Celtic Festival will be held in Dingle in the week following Easter.
