And All His Songs

The true story of Sean McCarthy, one of Ireland's great song writers. McCarthy, known as the Bard of Finuge, composed 160 songs, many sung by Maggie Sheehan, who also features in this play. He wrote songs tragic, touching, sad, sentimental, lyrical and light, and all had a story. Despite sharp wit and great humour, the sad song became his trademark. "Why is there no humour in your songs?" he asked Ewan McColl, who - probably trying to beat a Kerryman at his own game- answered with a question: "Why does somebody die in all your songs?" He wrote on many subjects but his sensitivity sharpened when writing of death.