“I was only 21. I went to offer peace but I came home changed forever.”
Cork, Ireland Tracy Connolly, an Irish Army veteran, singer-songwriter and poet, has released a deeply personal and haunting song titled ‘Lebanon‘, reflecting on her service during the 1996 war known as Operation Grapes of Wrath.
At just 21 years old, Tracy wore the blue beret as part of Ireland’s UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. Stationed in a volatile and war ravaged region, she spent countless nights in bunkers, witnessing first-hand the suffering of innocent civilians caught in a brutal conflict.
“I went to bring peace,” says Tracy, “but I saw how war takes everything from people their homes, their water, their families. We were meant to help, and we did, but I’ve never forgotten those we left behind.”
‘Lebanon‘ is a tribute to those memories the fear, the compassion, and the resilience of the Lebanese people. The song is not only a reflection of war but also a message of hope, peace, and the human cost of conflict.
Coming home to Ireland after six months of duty, Tracy was greeted on the tarmac by the Taoiseach and the President. Red carpet under her boots, her heart remained heavy with the stories she carried.
“That moment haunts me. I was back in Ireland, safe but I left a piece of myself in Lebanon.”
Today, through her music and storytelling, Tracy honours all Irish peacekeepers and those affected by war. ‘Lebanon‘ stands as both a personal memoir and a universal message: that peace is not a given, and remembering is an act of courage.
Tracy Connolly’s ‘Lebanon‘ will be available across all major platforms and iTunes from the 15th Aug 2025
Written and composed by Tracy Connolly executive music producer Tracy Connolly,
Arrangement Pat Barret producer and bass guitarist, Pat O Sullivan on piano.
For interviews, performances, or media inquiries, please contact: Tracyconnollyspoetrys@gmail.com
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