By Róise Collins
THIS week marked the release of singer-songwriter Seán Feeny’s debut single ‘1969’, a moving pop-ballad which takes its name from the year his parents married.
It was fittingly released on Monday as they celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary.
In the moving ode to his family Seán not only explores his parents loving legacy but strikingly contrasts it with the turbulence that was unfolding in the north at the time.
His parents, currently living in Annagry, are native to Belfast where they were married on August 11, 1969.
As they walked down the aisle, fears of rioting rumbled in Derry.
Their elation was quickly overshadowed by the unrest which was unfolding around them, in a period which was later coined the Battle of the Bogside.
Like many they had the front page of the newspaper of their special day framed to mark an anniversary.
“As a one-time newspaper journalist myself, who worked for this very paper, I immediately was drawn to the front page when my mother showed it to me.
“It was given to her as a gift by her uncle Sean Duffy, and I asked her if I could have it and get it framed.”
The Irish News broadsheet has since hung proudly above his desk at his home in Letterkenny.
Over the years as he reread the headlines calling for peace, a rhyme soon emerged. This was something Seán couldn’t shake, so he took pen to paper.
“Over the years the headlines just started coming together and started rhyming, I kept saying them in my head, until the majority of the song that paints the picture of that day and those times came together.
“And when I came up with the chorus and the final verse it just brought the whole story to a close.”
The single was one of the last songs he recorded, but the first one he released because of its significance.
“I wanted to write something that honoured my parents and the world they stepped into as newlyweds,” he said.
“1969 was a time of incredible uncertainty for so many people in Ireland, but also a time of love and new beginnings for them.
“This song is a tribute to that and a message of hope for all of us, that, despite hardship, we’re still here, still standing, still loving.”
Over the years, Seán has been immersed in music, both personally and professionally.
From interviewing local artists as a reporter with this paper to his current role in marketing, music has always been a constant in his life.
However, this single marks his first foray into creating and releasing original music.
“I’ve spent all my life promoting and plugging other people, so it’s strange being on the other side of it,” he laughed.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Seán said he has been humbled by the response the single has received since its release on Monday morning.
“Putting yourself out there is quite daunting but I am delighted I did it.”
Since the release, Seán has been overwhelmed by messages from family, friends, and old acquaintances who were moved by the song and its sentiment.
Like many, Seán had found his own creativity side-lined as he juggled the demands of a young family and a busy work life.
“We are all living in this busy world, where we are finding it hard to keep up.”
Now, he hopes his leap into original music will inspire others to step outside their comfort zones. He encourages anyone with a creative passion to take the plunge and express it.
The music project, which he described as “a real Donegal affair,” came together with the help of musician and composer Orri McBrearty from Castlefinn, and filmmaker Charlie Joe Doherty from Letterkenny.
Seán praised both collaborators, not only for their talent but for their unwavering support throughout his journey.
“It’s great not only to work with talented people but when they’re friends as well it makes it that bit more special,” Seán said.
