MARY McCARTHY explores the Irish custom of singing and its strong tradition in West Cork

SINGING is about the song, people and place. It has been part of the West Cork tradition going back many generations. The recent passing of the legendary Seán O’Sé from Bantry put the art form back in the spotlight. ‘Winners write history and losers write songs, is something I heard said years ago,’ muses publican William O’Brien of The Corner Bar in Skibbereen.  ‘Singing is good for the soul,’ he said. ‘Back in the day, people sang at weddings and wakes. It was common at the station party and at the ball before going to America. There was always time for a song, when people had the price of drink. ‘In Ireland, singing clubs have been popular, mostly in Dublin, Kerry and Clare, where the tradition of Irish music is stronger. What we still have is a captivated audience, even if it’s smaller.’

On the first Friday of every month, Skibbereen singers’ club meets at 9pm in The Corner Bar where the rousing sessions go down well with everyone. ‘I enjoy singing at sessions, because people enjoy it. And you get a response,’ said Brendan McCarthy, Union Hall, a national school principal and singer with the band Open the Taps. ‘It all depends on the setting,’ he said. ‘A session could have lively songs or be mixed up with some quieter ones that add variety. Certain songs have a following. Some tell a story of historical events like Dear Old Skibbereen and The Boys of Kilmichael.

‘Dating back to when people gathered in houses for scoraíochting, there was the seanchaí and there was singing,’ he said. ‘It was also part of working out at sea. When hauling and raising the sail, the singing was in time with the work. A sea shanty like Bound for South Australia would be sung on the boat. ‘Ireland is known all around the world for its great music. Some tourists come here because of it. It creates an atmosphere for both locals and visitors, alike. Comhaltas play a big part with singing in West Cork. Nowadays, the older songs are big with teenagers and those in their early twenties.’

Brendan maintains that his enjoyment of singing comes because ‘you give enjoyment to other. It’s nice to play music and sing songs, as a release from everyday work.’ For Noreen Collins, co-founder of The Singing Festival in Drimoleague, songs are best sung acapella. ‘I feel that the best songs come from the heart,’ she said. ‘Unaccompanied singing is pure. No microphones and no music. A singing session depends on the proximity of people, and the size of the room not being too big. What’s lovely is you can’t predict a ‘magic’ session.’

The Singing Festival (www.drimoleaguesingingfestival.ie) was set up in 2017 to restore the tradition that had endured for generations in some of the local pubs in Drimoleague village. The human voice is where the focus is, rather than on instruments. Thanks to volunteers and the three local churches, it next takes place from September 17th to 20th, 2026. ‘In our grandparent’s time, singing tended to be part of everyday life,’ said Noreen. ‘People sang in the kitchen or when ploughing the fields. It was a distraction from the mundane of everyday work. ‘A generation later, singing moved to the pub. Where it is happening today, is at singer’s clubs and choirs. There is a hunger for singing. A connection to song and story. It’s very special to have a song, person and no embellishment.’ Noreen said her discovery of Ó Riada sa Gaiety with Seán O’ Sé was significant. ‘Some of my favourite singers  include Dolores Keane, Mary Black and Bob Dillon,’ she added, reflecting that there is ‘nothing quite like singing amongst your own people’.