Equally comfortable writing in two languages, Irish singer-songwriter Padraig Jack released his single ‘These Shores’ on May 10th , the third single to be taken from his upcoming sophomore album. Listen here
Padraig blends Irish Gaelic and English together in this haunting track which asserts a proud feeling of Irishness celebrating the Celtic ‘culture of our own’ that has been ‘strewn afar’ around the world and the distinguished position that Ireland now holds in the world after centuries of rebelling against its colonial rulers. The lyrics of ‘These Shores’ acknowledge that Ireland is not without sin and that we should perhaps at some point ‘forgive those who trespassed against us’ in order to ‘shape a new beginning’ to move forward.
Padraig Jack (O Flaithearta) was born into a musical family from the Aran Islands. His dad is the songwriter Barry Ronan and he is the nephew of the Irish poet and Aosdána member Mary O’Malley. A native of Inis Mór which has produced writers Liam O Flaithearta, Máirtín Ó Direáin and Breandán Ó hEithir, Padraig is proudly bilingual both as a conversationalist and a songwriter
Jack’s songwriting heroes include James Taylor, Van Morrison, Richard Thompson, Enya, and Jimmy McCarthy and he seeks to develop his own songwriting style in the Irish language also. With plaudits from industry legends like Mike Scott, Sharon Shannon and Miles Hunt, and laudatory reviews from the likes of Hot Press, Padraig Jack has already made his mark on the Irish music scene.
‘These Shores’ was written and composed by Padraig Jack and features Aisling Jack Ní Fhlaithearta on backing vocals, Anthony Thistlethwaite on mandolin, Sean McKeown on uilleann pipes and whistle, Fergal Scahill on fiddle, Cathal Jack on bass, and John Reynolds on percussion. The track is produced by John Reynolds and mixed by Alex Borwick.
Padraig Jack will follow up his debut album Making Sand with his second album in October 2024. This summer sees him out on the road in Ireland, and in the UK with Miles Hunt.
Sun. 26 May Róisín Dubh, Galway
Fri. 31 May The Cobblestone, Dublin
Thurs. 6 June South St Arts, Reading with Miles Hunt
Fri. 7 June Hare & Hounds Birmingham with Miles Hunt
Wed. 19 June Stiúdeó Cuan, An Spidéal, Galway
Sat 22 June Homeplace Cafe, Headford
Fri. 12 July Áras Éanna , Inis Oírr, Áras Éanna
Sat 13 July Inis Meáin
