Tallaght folk musician sings for the Boys in Blue

By Mary Dennehy

EXPERIENCED Tallaght folk musician Stephen Leeson is part of a project which aims to support the Boys in Blue through song ahead of their semi-final battle against Kerry on August 28 – alongside raising funds for a number of hospice charities.

The song, which was recorded in Aras Chronain in Clondalkin last week, is called Dublin Army and written by Dublin lass Deirdre Flynn is performed by Stephen and a number of other talented musicians – from both the south and northside of the Liffey.

A video has been uploaded onto YouTube and the song this week takes to the airwaves in the run up to the highly anticipated semi-final.

An Idonate account has also gone live and the musical team hopes to have CDs ready for sale in the coming days, with anybody interested in sponsoring the CDs is encouraged to get in touch. 

For further details and how to donate, visit the Dublin Army 2016 Facebook.

Stephen Leeson, who has over the years performed with the likes of The Fureys, Dublin City Ramblers and Barney McKenny, took a few minutes to speak with his local paper.

Last time we spoke was around three years ago, what have you been up to since?

I suppose the music business for me has been quiet since I came back from Vegas. After playing music full time for over 10 years I decided to try and structure my life a bit better by getting a daytime job….it didn’t work! After being refused a mortgage from the bank on a number of occasions I decided enough was enough and I needed to get back to doing what I love best, playing music, singing and entertaining.

How did you levitate towards traditional and folk music?

Traditional and folk music has always been in my family thanks to my mam and dad. My dad is also a musician so I learned a lot from him and from a young age, when I figured out that people get payed for playing music and enjoying themselves, that performing was definitely the road I wanted to take. The Fureys, the Dubliners, Stocktons Wing to name a few have always been a big inspiration and throughout the solo route I have met so many fantastic musicians and song writers.

You’re latest project involves recording a song for Dublin for the All-Ireland? How did this come about? What’s your part in the collaboration?

Deirdre Flynn who (wrote the song) asked me a few days ago to look at a song that she had written. Since I have previously worked with Deirdre on another project and I knew she meant business, my reply was, “give me an hour and I will go through the lyrics and the melody”. To my mind everything worked perfect, I quickly recorded a demo with just me on guitar, vocal and harmonica and sent it back to her within the hour.

Tell us a little about the song?

This song has been written to support the Dublin Team as they head to a semi-final battle with Kerry on August 28. People battle Cancer daily in Ireland so the song aims to raise awareness of fantastic charities who help people fight this illness. St Francis Hospice (Blanchardstown and Raheny), Our Ladys Hospice (Harolds Cross and Blackrock) and the Hospice Foundation. Cancer doesn’t discriminate. Charities don’t either so we are appealing to people nationwide to donate to this worthy cause. Dublin Army 2016 has a Facebook Page, YouTube clip and Idonate page. We are also on Twitter.

Who is involved in it locally?

Locally and also from Tallaght we have Alan Doherty on whistles and doing the recording for us in studio. I’d also like to mention Shay Kavanagh who is currently playing with the Dublin Legends and playing Bass guitar on the track. James Mac Searraigh is on mandolin and fiddle, Geoff Kinsella is on banjo and Niall Preston is on bodhran. Everyone has contributed towards vocals in addition to Deirdre Flynn, Shay Leeson and Dara Kavanagh. Aidan Brown and the Brown family from Tallaght own Peadar Browns Pub in Clanbrassil Street. Deirdre attends open sessions there on Saturdays and Stephen has gigged there. They are sponsoring the recording of the song.

When is the song being released?

The song has been released on YouTube and the MP3 is heading to the airwaves this week. Downloads will become available ASAP and we are looking for a sponsor to fund CDs.

The Hospice Foundation has been chosen for as the charity of choice, why?

St Francis Hospice, Our Ladys Hospice and the Hospice Foundation have been nominated as the Charity Partners. Deirdre has lost two family members to cancer on both sides of the family and has had family members who have survived the illness. Peadar Browns have also been affected by the illness. Cancer can affect anyone. It is a tough battle and when you are faced with it these amazing charities are there to help in any way they can.

Who do you think is going to win Dublin or Kerry?

Deirdre is the mad GAA supporter. Never misses a game and while she believes it will be a tough battle, she thinks the Dubs will do it. The statistics show that Dublin have played more matches with Kerry only playing Clare twice and Tipperary once. The old rivalry is of course going to be there so it should make for an exciting nail-biting match. Dublin all the way though.

Have you any other plans or gigs in the pipeline for the rest of the year?

There will always be gigs and there is always plans we are all currently working musicians, hopefully a new album is due soon. As for Deirdre she is always writing lyrics and has two ready to go that she is hassling me to record already. She’s very persistent and gets the job done, sometimes it’s easier to just give in for a peaceful life! The future is bright and exciting.