Episode 23: Sandy Kelly

Irish country music legend Sandy Kelly (nee Duskey) has a remarkable story to tell. Born in Sligo into a family of travelling entertainers, she appeared in variety roadshows all over Ireland from the time she was a baby. Sandy joined a pop band in her teens and later went on to represent Ireland i…

Episode 22: Susan McCann - From South Armagh to Nashville's Grand Ole Opry (Part 2)

SUSAN McCann is Ireland’s First Lady of Country, and in part two of her life story here on the Sunday World podcast My Country Life, the legendary singer recalls performing on the same Florida festival with Garth Brooks, while he was then on his journey to becoming a country music superstar. Susan…

Episode 21: Susan McCann - From South Armagh to Nashville's Grand Ole Opry

SHE’S Ireland’s First Lady of Country and Susan McCann has had a remarkable life in music, performing everywhere from the marquee in her native Forkhill, South Armagh, to Nashville’s famous Grand Ole Opry. As Susan tells it, she came from humble beginnings growing up among a family of 11 in a two-…

Episode 20: Life begins at 80 for country icon Philomena Begley

SHE'S Ireland’s Queen of Country and at the age of 80 Philomena Begley says she has no intention of relinquishing her title anytime soon. As we speak, Philomena is celebrating an incredible 60 years in showbusiness and here on 'My Country Life' she says that singing and performing is the drug that…

Episode 19: There's no show like a Joe show - the story of Joe Dolan (Part 2)

HERE in part two of The Joe Dolan Story, his brother Ben takes us inside their life on the road and the early days of ‘Driftermania’. He tells how Joe became an international star after performing on BBC’s iconic Top Of The Pops with his first major hit, Make Me An Island. This would lead to tour…

Episode 18: There's no show like a Joe show - the story of Joe Dolan (Part 1)

Joe Dolan was one of Ireland’s greatest ever entertainers. He was our Elvis Presley. Our first pop star. Joe performed on BBC’s Top Of The Pops, toured the world as an international star, played in Las Vegas and had a string of hits that included The Answer To Everything, Make Me An Island, Lady I…

Episode 17: Margo - the queen of country and Irish music (part 2)

Here in part two of our My Country Life podcast with Margo, Ireland’s Queen of Country & Irish recalls her many struggles in life, including a personal battle with alcoholism back in the day. Margo opens up about her regret at never becoming a mother and reveals that she still carries a torch for …

Episode 16: Margo - the queen of country and Irish music (part 1)

She’s the Queen of Country & Irish music, and Margo O’Donnell has had a remarkable life. Long before the world heard of her little brother Daniel O’Donnell, Margo was topping the charts and performing to thousands of fans in dance halls all over Ireland. Margo also won the hearts of Irish emigran…

Episode 15: Kieran Cavanagh - the man behind Daniel O'Donnell

TODAY, he manages the career of Irish country music superstar Daniel O’Donnell, but former New Blues showband guitarist Kieran Cavanagh has had a remarkable life in his own right. While in his 20s, Kieran set out to bring some of the biggest stars in American country music to Ireland, starting wit…

Episode 14: Declan Nerney

Declan Nerney has lived a charmed life, from playing in bands with some of Ireland’s biggest country music stars, including Gene Stuart and Brian Coll, to meeting his idol Johnny Cash. Here, in My Country Life, Declan recalls how he dreamed of a life in showbusiness watching the big stars playing …