Final song recorded by late Clare musician to launch next week

The final song that was recorded by late Clare musician Cyril O’Donoghue before his death in September 2024 will now be released next week. 

The song,‘Inis Cealtra’, tells the story of a journey one must make alone and is a final farewell from the much-loved and lauded singer, with some saying it serves as a mythic metaphor for his final solo voyage.

‘Inis Cealtra’ was written by Mountshannon artist Cliodhna Donnellan and Mr O’Donoghue recorded it on none other than his phone shortly before his death. 

Employing the very same AI technology that The Beatles and Peter Jackson used for the band’s final release of ‘Now and Then’ in 2023, the musician’s final phone recording was brought into the studio where they have been able to bring it up both release and broadcast quality whilst maintaining its original simplicity and beauty.

Commenting on the song itself was writer Cliodhna Donnellan, who said, “The words just landed on the page. Inis Cealtra has been a symbolic representation of the stages of my own journey.” The composer says the choice of Cyril O’Donoghue as the heart of the song was easy as “only one voice kept echoing as the voice to sing this song – Cyril”.

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Working alongside Ms Donnellan was producer and CEO of FDM Records, Kieron Concannon.

Speaking on the emotional release, he said, “We feel deeply fortunate and privileged that we have been able to salvage this gem of a song and performance from one of the great Clare musicians that left us all too suddenly and all too soon. Slan go foil Cyril”.

Cyril O’Donoghue has been a towering figure within the Irish music tradition, in his native Clare and upon the world stage for many decades. To mark his 12-month passing, the song will be available on August 29 as a digital single which can be found on all major digital platforms for sale or stream.

The official premiere of ‘Inis Cealtra’ will take place on The West Wind with Eoin O’Neill on Clare FM Friday, August 29.