Images Of Ireland

Songs & Music, Artists & Album Reviews

Songs & Music
Many of the songs have midi song files which will play when you go to the page. There is a small control panel at the bottom of the lyrics for controlling the music.

• Across The Bridge of Hope
  CD released to raise funds for the victims of the Omagh Bomb

• Brennan on the Moor
  Story of one of my ancestors :0)
  Willie Brennan an 18th. century Irish Robin Hood.

• Broken Things
  Poignant song written by Julie Miller.

• Carrickfergus
  I wish I was in Carrickfergus.
  If you have any information on the history of
  this song please let me know.

• Immigrant Eyes
  One of the many who came almost 100 years ago
  to make a new life in America.

• The Fields of Athenry
  Deported to Australia for taking food during hard times,
  It happened.

• The Homes of Donegal

• I'll Tell Me Ma

• The Mountains of Mourne

• Murphy's Sick Note
  Comedy tale of woe

• Our Town (Omagh August 1998)

• She Moved Through The Fair
  One of Ireland's most beautiful traditional songs

• Song For Ireland

• Spancil Hill

• Will Ye Go Lassie Go

Artists & Groups I Like

• Altan

• Brian Kennedy
  Brian has a great way with an audience.

• Iris DeMent
  Iris and her songs have a special place in my heart

• Mary Black
  Mary's clear strong voice has made her a favorite worldwide.

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Featured Albums
If you have an album you'd like featured on "Images of Ireland" drop me a line at images@voice.freeserve.co.uk

• "The Life of Riley" by Canadian Celtic/light rock band The Life of Riley.

• "The Auld Country" by Bob Reeder

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The Life of Riley

Canadian Celtic/light rock band "The Life Of Riley" have carried out a series of concerts and released a CD with proceeds going to Breast Cancer research. The Album started as a normal dream project but during it's making band leader Larry Riley's wife Sharon developed breast cancer and died on March 7th 2000. Sharon was only 36 yrs, old, leaving behind 2 little children a 5 & 1/2 year old boy and a  3 & 1/2 year old girl. 

 Sharon sings two of the songs on the album and returned to the studio despite her illness to finish her vocals. Sharon made Larry promise to complete the album and donate the money to Cancer research. So far the group has raised  $35,000 with a target of $60,000.

I can't even begin to imagine how this would affect me or how helpless I would feel. 
Larry has empowered himself, Sharon will live on in their music and others will be helped. 

Please support this important project. You can visit the bands website at  http://lifeofrileyband.com 
where you can find out the latest details.

Produced by Bob Reeder Published by Blackthorn Records CD number: RTR6	I hadn't heard Bob singing before so I didn't know what to expect. I hoped it wouldn't be another repeat of what so many have done previous. I was impressed, Bob has a style all of his own. He possesses what many songwriters lack, the ability to paint vivid images in the listeners head and a rich voice to make it all come true. He has written half the songs on the album taking us on many journeys, into Irish Folklore, to the rowdy pub, the sea, or back into Ireland's eventful past. One of the delights is the music content. Effort has been made to make this album special. Along with the usual instruments Bob introduces us many exotic ones with names like, saz, tar, cittern and kemanchen from the Middle East. The sounds feel real at home and rest easy on the Irish ear.
My Favourite Tracks "The Wail of The Ban Sidhe" Wonderful chilling tale taking us to the edge of the grave. "O'Rourke, O'Connell, And Me" A rousing trip to the shebeen where much drink is taken, many stories told and fighting talk made. "The Auld Country" Beautiful poignant epic tale of the Irish, hard times and emigration. "So go the woe's of the auld country One teardrop in the Irish sea. A guarantee of uncertainty, So go the woe's of the auld country" This song should be added to the list of great Irish songs and I'm sure I will hear it sung by others in the future.	No better gift could have been given to Bob by his Irish mother than the gift of music. He has used his gift well.
"The Auld Country Reprise" Thanks Bob for giving us another chapter, but do you realise this song will never end? You need to add a verse about "Omagh" a turning point in Irish history and one about the great optimism and hope we have in our country and in our hearts at present. "The Whales" Seamen are always one for a good tale. "Kilkee" An instrumental piece composed by Bob, a real unexpected gem. A symphony of sound, five and a half minutes in heaven. I can't stress enough how good the music is on this album, it gives the songs life, emotion, Irishness, an ethereal spirit.	Bob has been entertaining for 20 years and is the best of craic live, keeping his audience in stitches with his jokes and banter. If you're ever in the Kansas City area you owe it to yourself to go along and see him. Visit his web-site at: http://www.bobreeder.net for further information.  Bob's latest  album is a Live Performance double CD. It contains all the songs you'd like to hear and more. It captures the excitement and fun of his shows and the sound quality is first class. You can check it and his other albums out at:   http://www.bobreeder.nett/GenStore.htm Bob hasn't been to Ireland since 1956 as a child but intends to come back to visit relatives in the near future. He say's he would jump at the chance to tour here. So you just never know, I might get the chance to stand him a pint yet.

 Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh by David Schofield 

If you want Traditional Irish music at its best then  Altan's the place to start. They took their name from Loch Altan in Donegal. Singer and fiddler Mairead is such a dynamo. David has captured her spirit and soul in this photo.  (Mairead has seen the photo and loved it.) 

David is a a professional sports photographer in the US and you can contact him at 
ducky22@infi.net  

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Owen Brennan
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Revised: March 03, 2004.