Mickey MacConnell

Life and work

MacConnell was born in Bellanaleck near Enniskillen in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. He is the youngest member of a musical family. He worked in Dublin for Irish Press Group and, later, with The Irish Times.

MacConnell began writing songs very early in his life. In 1965, he wrote "Only Our Rivers Run Free" about the constitutional status of Northern Ireland; it became an instant hit in Ireland. This encouraged him to seriously devote himself to writing music when he moved to Listowel, County Kerry, where he lives with his wife, Maura.

His first album, Peter Pan and Me, was released in 1992 to critical acclaim and included the haunting ballad "Lament for Judy Garland".

Many of his songs have been recorded by such artists as Christy Moore, The Wolfe Tones, Mary Black, The Kelly Family and The James Last Orchestra.

The album, Joined Up Writing, includes many new songs and takes a wry look at life and politics, not just in Ireland but worldwide.

MacConnell's work has been greatly influenced by The Troubles in Northern Ireland and his songs reflect that there are those who suffer on all sides. "Follow the Flag" is an example of this. "The Little Drummer Boy" is a song that uses the story of the drummer boys of the old days (similar to the sentiments evoked by the more famous "Minstrel Boy" by Thomas Moore) to remind us of the influence of the poets and singers on public opinion.