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Irish Times
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Singer-songwriter Mickey MacConnell dies aged 78
Mickey MacConnell, the singer-songwriter and former Irish Times journalist, has died aged 78. MacConnell described himself as having been born during the 'unparalleled snowstorms of 1947″ into a musical family from Bellanaleck, near Enniskillen in Co Fermanagh . He wrote his most famous song, Only Our Rivers Run Free, as a teenager. A lament for the partition of Ireland, it has been covered by Christy Moore and The Wolfe Tones , among others. 'It was a classic example of the right song in the right place at the right time, recorded by the right artist, Christy Moore,' MacConnell said years later. READ MORE 'I was 17 when I wrote it and had just come back from covering a council meeting for the local paper in my native south Fermanagh full of frustration over the bigotry I witnessed in the meeting, with the allocation of houses to single Protestants over Catholic families. It was never a republican song per se but a song about the love of one's country.' MacConnell went on to release two albums, Peter Pan and Me in 1992 and Joined Up Writing in 2000. The Politician Song, which was on his first album, is a satirical look at the language used by politicians. His close friend Billy Keane described him as one of the finest and most courageous singers of his generation. As a journalist, MacConnell worked first for the Irish Press and later for The Irish Times. He spent many years covering Seanad debates and likened its importance to a 'fart in a hurricane'. 'When working as a journalist in Dublin I was forced to endure many painful hours reporting in the national parliament,' he wrote in the sleeve notes to The Politician Song. 'In those days I had a very good Pitman's shorthand note, and I began to notice how many cliches kept coming up again and again. I gathered them together and wrote this song.' Mickey, Cormac and Cathal Mac Connell at the funeral of their brother, Seán Mac Connell, at the Church of the Divine Word, Rathfarnham. Photograph: Frank Miller He was one of three brothers who worked in the national media: his late brother Seán was The Irish Times' agriculture correspondent; and his brother Cormac worked for the Irish Press and Irish Central, among other publications. MacConnell, who had lived in Listowel, Co Kerry, for many years, is survived by his wife, Maura, daughters Kerry and Claire, a son-in-law, Paddy, and three grandchildren. Seán MacConnell, who was The Irish Times' agriculture correspondent for nearly 20 years, predeceased him in 2013. Cormac MacConnell is also an acclaimed songwriter, having written the song Christmas in the Trenches 1914, which Mickey featured on his Joined Up Writing album. Mickey MacConnell will be reposing at Lyons Funeral Home, Derry, Listowel, on Saturday evening, July 5th, from 5pm to 7.30pm. The removal to Shannon Crematorium takes place on Sunday with a cremation service at 12pm.
Irish Independent
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Ireland's oldest literary festival ‘combines local and international literary life'
The event marks the beginning of Listowel Literary Festival – a collaborative celebration delivered by Listowel Writers' Week, Kerry Writers' Museum, and St John's Theatre & Arts Centre. The opening night celebrated two of Ireland's most esteemed literary prizes: Niall Williams was announced the winner of the €22,000 Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award for his novel 'Time of the Child', while poet Kerry Hardie received the Pigott Poetry Prize for 'We Go On'. Writer and publican Billy Keane had the honour of opening the festival, while Listowel Writers' Week Chairman Ned O'Sullivan said writers' week seamlessly combines local literary life with the very best of international literature. 'Ultimately, the festival brings people together to enjoy the written word in all its forms, and I know that this year's programme promises something for everyone. I am always heartened by the level of community participation and support involved in making this event happen on the ground and I commend all those involved,' said Mr O'Sullivan. The John B Keane Lifetime Achievement Award went to local playwright Tony Guerin. A former Kerry footballer and retired garda sergeant, Tony's work has shone a light on life in Ireland for many decades and this award is a fitting tribute to his insight and creativity. A special moment in the evening also featured 12-year-old author Danny Lawlor, who has already published two books. Representing the next generation of Irish writers, Danny presented Minister O'Donovan with a gift of the shortlisted books from this year's awards, on behalf of Listowel Writers' Week. Chairman of Listowel Writers' Week, Ned O'Sullivan, said it was an honour to have Billy Keane open the festival given his connection with one of the founding fathers of Listowel Writers' Week, John B Keane. 'We're proud of our local origins and the strength this gives our programme and the community spirit that powers it. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our partners, sponsors, staff, and over 50 volunteers who work so hard to make the festival such a success,' he said. The evening was hosted by Rhona Tarrant, a proud Listowel native whose journalism career began in Ireland with RTÉ. Growing up steeped in the town's literary and cultural traditions, Rhona has long been inspired by the storytelling spirit of Listowel. Her presence at the awards ceremony added a personal and meaningful connection to the town. Listowel Literary Festival runs until Sunday, 1st June. For tickets and the full programme, visit
