Conleth’s tribute to parents proves a Lockdown hit with Irish diaspora

Written during Lockdown, Conleth was inspired by missing his parents in Lurgan while he was stuck in London during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Emerald Isle is a ballad reminising of his native land, youth, family and love.

It has also been featured on TV and radio stations across the globe.

Conleth revealed: “My niece Maria was meant to get married this Christmas but due to the uncertainty of lockdowns she cancelled it as her mother Edel (my sister) lives in Melbourne and they have been stuck in a very draconian lockdown for the majority of the year.

“My other sister Dearbhla lives in Sydney and my brother Michael lives in San Francisco.

“Mum (Priscilla Kane) and Dad (Gerard Kane) have not had their four children together since December 2010. This Xmas was meant to be a reunion after decade apart,” said Conleth.

“I wrote ‘Emerald Isle’ as tribute to my parents who still live at home in Ireland. It is featured on my EP ‘Liberty’ (available now).

“Despite the four of us having spread our wings and leaving the nest - we will always consider the Emerald Isle as home.

“That’s the message of the song.

“Being denied the reunion this Christmas was pretty emotional for us all. The wedding has been postponed until the coast is clear as the there are so many international journeys to be made within one immediate family and every country is at different stages in the pandemic.

“It has been devastating as an artist to watch the music industry sink in 2020 and so many wonderful, high profiled professional opportunities dismantled leaving with me with no way to promote my music in a live capacity.

“I became fully dependent on the internet.

“Northern Irish radio and local press has been particularly kind to me. I’m truly grateful for the support I received during this time.

“I’m the first to admit my mental health is fragile. Not only is my professional life hanging on by a thread - but the government have made it pretty much impossible for me to have a personal life too.

“I can tell you, being a single guy with a fragile career in lockdown has been extremely difficult.

“Some people have had the luxury of being with a partner or a family whilst their jobs remain fully intact.

“Hopefully this will shed some light on why the lockdown issue has become somewhat polarising. The damage does not fall evenly on society.”

If you would like to hear Conleth’s song Emerald Isle, it is on YouTube. Here is the link www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVLa9SONFN8

https://youtu.be/LVLa9SONFN8

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