Ireland A Troubled Romance

Performer Name: Padraig Lalor

Padraig was born in Belfast. He lived his formative years in the 1970s against the backdrop of the troubles in Northern Ireland. He worked as a freelance journalist in the 1980s; becoming Northern Irish correspondent for the Irish Post, before gaining a Scholarship to Ruskin College Oxford. It was in Oxford he formed the Traditional Irish band Henry Marten's Ghost and started writing songs in the late 1990s.　 A fascination with his country's musical history and a love of the stories that permeate its culture, bring an engaging authenticity to his songs. Capturing the passion and contradiction of the people and places of Belfast has seen Padraig earn the reputation of a modern day Seanachaí. Not surprising perhaps, that he lists both the great Irish Tenor Josef Locke, and Belfast's Kathleen Largey amongst his key musical influences. Padraig's music has featured on TV & radio across the world. He has opened shows for Finbar Furey, the Dubliners, Craobh Rua and has taken his individual brand of Irish music to audiences in France, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium and the Channel Islands, where he is a perennial visitor. His debut solo album Ismay’s Dream is an evocative journey through Ireland's Titanic history that will appeal to anyone who loves great stories and great songs. "Padraig Lalor is a singer/songwriter who has matured and developed considerably over the years. His solo material has a familiar feel to it. Songs like Two Pennies and Rinty Monaghan are the kind of songs you'll swear you've heard before. It's not that they are 'like' anything else and they are not overly derivative but they are very much rooted in a folk tradition while also managing to exude a freshness that appeals". Enda Mullen Harp Magazine With Light up, Padraig Lalor has achieved a new level in his exploration of the modern Irish song. Based on his experiences and reflections of growing up in Belfast during the Troubles, the album is a positive affirmation of the power of peace over prejudice. On a richly layered collaboration with Tim Edey, Fyfe Dangerfield and the pure new voice of Sarah Passmore, Lalor has crafted a work of exceptionally high quality. Carrying an affirmative message for the generation who have grown up with the peace process. With the magical hand of Greig Stewart (Guillemots) on its production it rivals anything from the Celtic Gospel of Van Morrison. Light up your hearts is a heart warming first single from album. The single was made available for download on April 22nd and the album will be distributed on the UK’s Proper Label on June 23rd. The single has been co-written and sung by Padraig & Fyfe Dangerfield (Brit Award nominee and founder of Guillemots). It is an inspiring duet with rising talent, singer Sarah Passmore. It is truly a charming & uplifting song with a strong theme of reconciliation and positivity. The song is essentially about Ireland being led into the light of peace after centuries of turmoil. This is brave song writing, never rhetorical, never hectoring, never polemic, yet always persuasive: at its heart is a universal set of truths about our condition. Lalor has a voice that demands to be heard. This is his best, most complete and uncompromising album to date. Irish Music Magazine