By Jonathan Magee
GERRY ADAMS is set to add ‘recording artist’ to his resume when he features on a brand-new single from traditional music artist Davie Furey.
The former Sinn Féin President features on Furey’s new single ‘Donegal’, which releases today, April 10.
The unlikely musical pairing grew from Gerry’s recently published poetry collection, ‘Poems for Hard Times’. One poem in particular — ‘Tír Chonaill Thuaidh’ — caught the attention of Davie, who has been friends with Gerry for some years.
When Davie Furey asked if he could weave the words into a new song he was composing, Gerry was quick to agree. He also agreed to recite the poem on the recording itself.
Gerry said on his Léargas podcast:
“Donegal is a wonderful song.
“It was a delight to work with Davie and the I have known Davie a long time.
“When I sent him a copy of a small book of poems I had written, he especially liked Tír Chonaill Thuaidh.
“He asked if he could include it in a new song he proposed writing around the poem.
“I said yes.
“But then he asked if he could record me reciting the poem as part of the single.”
He added: “I am a big admirer of Davie’s music and I wish him well with the song.”
The single features an impressive cast of musicians: Davie Furey on lead vocals, guitar and bodhrán; Mike McGoldrick of the Mark Knopfler Band on flute; Éanna Ó Cróinin on uilleann pipes; Kane O’Rourke on fiddle and whistle; and Martin Quinn on acoustic guitar and keys, who also produced the song.
Jam Studios produced the song.