A WHISPER FROM OBLIVION – OUT NOW
Hello all,
You might recall I said I was going ‘back down the trenches,’ a while back? Look what I found ! I told my publishers from the outset that the story of the Ua Buachalla and their struggle through the famine was too big for one book. I’m so glad they agreed, and extremely proud to share that A Whisper From Oblivion – sequel to The Pawnbroker’s Reward and the second book of three – will hit the shelves of Irish book shops this Sept 14th on Gill Books!
Let’s face it, so synonymous with the Great Hunger, 1847 was always going to be the big one. Still, what I discovered inside was so tragic, so moving, and so unexpected. Here’s what’s written on the back cover…
Well that’s the title, the cover, and the introduction. What do you guys think??
Stay tuned for more news. But please write to [email protected] if you’d like to tell us how excited you are to read A Whisper From Oblivion in the meantime.
PS. If you’d like to help me assure my publishers ~ and the all important bookshops who’ll tout it ~ what a great investment they’ve made by involving themselves in the telling of this story, please spread the word, and pre-order your copy of A Whisper From Oblivion from one of the outlets HERE !
Much love and many thanks for your support,
Declan O’Rourke
I’m very happy to announce this tour now (with a great, brand new artwork by David Rooney for the occasion!). I’ve had a lovely yearning lately to share some new stuff with you – music stuff!
I plan to record in ’24. But before I commit anything to wax, I would like to bounce these songs around the stage and try some out on you guys! (with some old faithfuls thrown in, of course). The dates are as follows:
Fri 6th Oct: Roscommon Arts Centre LOW TICKETS
Sat 7th Oct: Town Hall Theatre, Cavan SOLD OUT
Fri 13th Oct: An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny TICKETS
Sat 14th Oct: Town Hall Theatre, Westport. LOW TICKETS
Sat 21st Oct: INEC Acoustic Room, Killarney TICKETS
Fri 27th Oct: Mandela Hall, Belfast LOW TICKETS
Sat 28th Oct: Theatre Royal, Waterford TICKETS
Fri 3rd Nov: Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick TICKETS
Sat 4th Nov: Town Hall Theatre, Galway SOLD OUT
Fri 10th Nov: Solstice Arts Centre, Navan TICKETS
Sat 11th Nov: An Tain Arts Centre, Dundalk TICKETS
Sun 12th Nov: Jerome Hynes Theatre, Wexford LOW TICKETS
Thurs 16th Nov: Live At St Lukes – Extra Date! SOLD OUT
Fri 17th Nov: Live at St. Luke’s, Cork SOLD OUT
Sat 18th Nov: Vicar St., Dublin SOLD OUT
Fri 24th Nov: Arts Centre, Mullingar TICKETS
Sat 25th Nov: Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny TICKETS
Declan O’Rourke to become 2022 recipient of ICMGLT Repairer Recognition Award for Excellence in the Arts.
“For applying his abundant talents and empathic knowledge to convey the horrors of the Great Hunger for future generations of Ireland and the world,” The International Center for MultiGenerational Legacies of Trauma has announced Declan O’Rourke as one of the winners of its inaugural Repairer Awards for 2022, alongside West Virginia Playwright D.W. Gregory.
“For excellence in the Arts,” both recipients will be celebrated at a dinner ceremony in New York this Friday night.
See the press release HERE.
ARRIVALS ~ Deluxe U.S. Edition
I’m so pleased to share the exciting news that Arrivals, technically only released in Ireland and UK to date, gets a second bite at the cherry and a further push out into the world with the release of the Deluxe U.S. Edition on Schoolkids Records, the independent record label based out of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
The record will get some stateside publicity and push to radio which is great news for both me and Arrivals.
As you can imagine radio is so competitive out there so any of you who are based in the US … I would personally appreciate it if you requested me, and something from Arrivals on your favourite folk or Americana station!
Check out the Schoolkids Press Release…
RALEIGH, NC (January 15, 2022) — Schoolkids Records will release a deluxe edition of Irish artist Declan O’Rourke’s Paul Weller-produced album, Arrivals, on March 4, 2022.
Originally released on Warner Music UK in Ireland and the United Kingdom in April 2021, the album is currently only available on import in the US and Australia. Since its release, Arrivals has received widespread critical acclaim from the UK and Irish music press. Mojo magazine described O’Rourke as “a masterful lyricist and a staggering guitarist” and BBC2 Radio Ulster called Arrivals “an album of rare poetic beauty.”
Tracklisting:
In Painters Light
The Harbour
The Stars Over Kinvara
Olympian
Arrivals
Andy Sells Coke
Have You Not Heard The War Is Over
Convict Ways
Zeus and Apollo
This Thing That We Share
Disc 2 Bonus Tracks:
In Painters Light
(Abbey Theatre, Dublin)
The Harbour
(Abbey Theatre, Dublin)
Have You Not Heard The War is Over
(Abbey Theatre, Dublin)
Clouds Dry Up
(Black Barn Studio Outtake)
After The Rain
(Black Barn Studio Outtake)
The reissue of Arrivals will be supported by a push to U.S. radio in January 22 and two digital single releases in early 2022. The deluxe edition includes a bonus disc with five extra tracks – two previously unreleased tracks recorded during the original Black Barn Studio sessions with producer Paul Weller (Clouds Dry Up and After the Rain), and three songs recorded live at Abbey Theatre Dublin.
Arrivals will be available as digital download and on CD (with a bonus disc) in March, while due to worldwide delays in the manufacture of vinyl, a deluxe gatefold double-disc vinyl edition will hit the market in September 2022. Arrivals the Deluxe Edition represents the first-time in a decade that US-based O’Rourke fans can buy a domestic release on CD and is O’Rourke’s first ever domestic U.S. release on vinyl.
O’Rourke notes… ”This is for fans of old school, cool physical stock among my followers in the US. I’m so glad to finally have a concrete release there with this issue of Arrivals. I can’t wait for folks to hear it and hold it!”
The first radio single “The Harbour” will be serviced for a January 17th add date and one of the standout live tracks, exclusive to the deluxe edition, “Have You Not Heard The War Is Over – Live at Abbey Theatre (featuring a string arrangement by Mercury Prize nominee, Hannah Peel) will be released as a digital single on January 26, 2022. A second digital single release is also planned for February. The release of Arrivals is set to coincide with a comprehensive Irish Tour in March.
Schoolkids Records (dba Schoolkids The Label) is part of the Schoolkids Records retail chain based in Chapel Hill, NC and Dublin, Ireland. Originally launched as Second Motion in 2008, founder Stephen Judge folded the label into the retail company under the Schoolkids brand. Schoolkids the Label has released over 50 titles since its inception.
Many of you will be familiar with the great organisation, Concern, but may or may not know that this year, their campaign focuses on hunger. 2022 also marks the 175th anniversary of what has come to be known as “Black 47“, considered to be the peak of the Great Irish Famine. So over recent weeks, inspired by the synchronicity of our respective areas of interest, Concern and I have been in talks about how we might take advantage of the very timely overlap to achieve some good together. These shows seemed like a good place to start.
Read our shared press release below…
- Guarantee humanitarian aid to those on the brink of famine;
- Break the cycle between conflict and hunger for good;
- Stop hunger being used as a weapon of war.
Dear friends,
Thanks to all who picked up a copy or shared some love for The Pawnbroker’s Reward over the past two weeks. Your response has been nothing short of amazing and I am beyond moved. But more importantly, trust that the good vibes you are sending out there is your part well played in helping to share a truly powerful story that I believe is beautiful and worth sharing. Please keep posting images of your copies and if you can spare a few moments I’d be so grateful of any online reviews.
DOR
xx
‘Immensely personal.’
– John Boyne, Irish times and author of ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.’
“A detailed and evocative telling of one of our nation’s darkest stories. The Pawnbroker’s Reward brings the famine to life and infuses it with a humanity often missing from historical accounts.”
– Ray Darcy, broadcaster, RTÉ Radio 1.
“Holds absolutely nothing back … Brilliantly Realised.”
– Éilis O’Regan, Irish Independent.
“Beautifully achieved … I think he’s started a whole new great career for himself.”
– Nadine O’Regan, Sunday Business Post.
“A fantastic piece of work. It is amazing. Based on real people and informed by contemporary records of the time. The research in the book is impeccable.“
– Pat Kenny, broadcaster, Newstalk FM
Souvenirs – Declan Celebrates the Life and Songs of John Prine with Family and Friends
The Prine Family, The Mick Lally Theatre, South Wind Blows and RTÉ Radio One present A Celebration of John Prine which will be live streamed from The Mick Lally Theatre in Galway on Monday October 4th at 7.30pm Irish Standard Time.
This will be the first public event to celebrate the life and work of John Prine, who died from complications due to Covid-19 on April 7th 2020.
The family of the late John Prine have announced this first public remembrance and celebration of his life and work, and look forward to celebrating the legendary songwriter, along with Declan and some of Ireland’s best know musicians who will come together and perform songs from his vast catalogue.
The show will be live streamed from The Mick Lally Theatre, the legendary home of Druid Theatre Company in the heart of Galway city, on October 4th from 7.30pm Irish Standard Time and be available to view on demand from 7th to 10th October. It will be broadcast on RTÉ Radio One at a future date.
Declan will be performing on the night along with Mary Black, Paul Brady, Sharon Shannon, Tommy Prine and Little John Nee. John’s long-time friend and supporter John Creedon, will be MC for the evening.
For more than 20 years, John Prine and his family spent summers in Kinvara, County Galway, at their home on the outskirts of the village. John enjoyed nothing more than the music sessions he participated in at Mary Green’s pub where he met and befriended many local musicians.
It is fitting that this celebration should happen in Ireland where his wife Fiona was born and where John spent some of the happiest times in his life.
Fiona Whelan Prine said, “John recognized that in Ireland people loved and accepted him outside of his life as a celebrated artist. His Irish passport was one of his most prized possessions. We are delighted to be able to remember him with his family and musician friends from Ireland, with this very special tribute event from Galway.”
Tickets are available HERE.
Unique live performance from Declan
Declan performed a unique live version of ‘The Stars Over Kinvara’ from his new album ‘Arrivals’.
Recorded in July, as part of a special TG4 series celebrating 70 years of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. This performance features Alan Dohery (of Gráda, Aldoc, Lord of the Rings soundtrack) on flute and whistle, Dermot Byrne, of Altan fame on Box accordian and swiss-born Anna Houston from No Crows on cello.
It is with great pleasure that I share the news with you here of the forthcoming release of my literary debut; — The Pawnbroker’s Reward — a work of historical fiction, which will be released to bookshops on November 5th this year.
Far beyond the stuff of dreams, or even being the most deeply immersive and enjoyable journey I have ever taken, it has been my privilege to write this book. I’m truly proud of what’s between the covers and cannot wait to share the story with you all.
I invite you to read the introductory blurb that Gill, the book’s publishers, have compiled for the purpose.
Many thanks for your ongoing support!
Declan O’Rourke
Declan O’Rourke Announces 5 Further UK Tour Dates for November
Award-winning Irish singer-songwriter Declan O’Rourke has added a further 5 dates to his November 2021 UK tour, making it a 9-show run with dates as follows:
Thurs 4 Nov BIRMINGHAM Glee Club
Fri 05 Nov LONDON Kings Place
Sat 06 Nov MANCHESTER The Stoller Hall
Mon 8 Nov SHEFFIELD Abbeydale Picture House
Tues 09 Nov GLASGOW Websters Theatre
Wed 10 Nov NEWCASTLE Gosforth Civic Theatre
Fri 12th Nov CANTERBURY Canterbury Cathedral Lodge
Sat 13 Nov CAMBRIDGE Storey’s Field Centre
Sun 14 Nov BRIGHTON The Brunswick.
Tickets on sale HERE 10am Fri 25 June.
Declan’s new, Paul Weller-produced album Arrivals enjoyed both critical and commercial success on its release in April. Debuts at #2 in the Official Irish National Album Chart, #2 in the Official UK Folk Albums Chart and #4 in the Official UK Americana Chart were matched by stellar reviews, from MOJO who said ‘Hail Declan O’Rourke, master storyteller and overnight sensation – at last’ and UNCUT “….if he’s been a best-kept secret up to now ARRIVALS should finally blow his cover’” to the Big Album of the Week in THE SUN newspaper and a glowing review in THE SUNDAY TIMES, amongst many more.
Acclaim from radio broadcasters included BBC RADIO 2’s Mark Radcliffe who called Declan “one of the most significant Irish singers and writers of his generation” and BBC RADIO LONDON’s Robert Elms who named title track “Arrivals”, “My Favourite Song Right Now”.
Fellow musicians were generous with their praise. The Who’s Pete Townshend commented “It is a gem. Fabulous guitar and singing. Just love this Arrivals album’. Jerry Douglas said ‘Declan O’Rourke is one of Ireland’s gifts to the world. He’s amazing’ and Paul Weller summed up: “He is in a field of his own, the roots are in the fertile tradition of folk music, (people’s music), but with that he brings such modernity and timelessness to his words and music that is far, far reaching. Beyond limiting categories.”
Recorded over six days at Black Barn studios in Surrey, Arrivals sees Declan O’Rourke present the most emotionally raw and affecting album of his career. The sound is stripped back to Declan’s soulful and resonant voice, his virtuosic acoustic guitar playing and only the occasional sparse arrangement of strings and late-night drums bringing colour and light to the LP’s 10 songs. Weller, a fan of Declan’s songwriting for some years, also adds his multi-instrumental abilities to the recordings, including a beautiful piano accompaniment to the closing track.
O’Rourke’s last album Chronicles Of The Great Irish Famine, documented rare first-hand accounts from that devastating period of Irish history and garnered numerous awards. His writing is much admired and covered by fellow artists, most notably his classic 2004 song “Galileo” which has been recorded by Eddi Reader and Josh Groban amongst others.
Declan O’Rourke announces Vicar Street show
Award-winning Irish singer songwriter Declan O’Rourke celebrates his brand new album with a show at Vicar Street, 13th March 2021.
Tickets are available from Ticketmaster from Friday, 23rd April at 10AM.
Declan’s album Arrivals was produced by Paul Weller, the most emotionally raw and affecting album of his career.
Recorded over six days at Black Barn studios in Surrey, with Weller producing (“he was there every moment, before, during and long after, discussing ideas about this and that, even down to the artwork. It was hugely impressive…”), Arrivals sees Declan O’Rourke present his art in a different yet wholly distinctive manner. The sound is stripped back to Declan’s soulful and resonant voice, the virtuosic acoustic guitar playing for which he’s renowned and only the occasional sparse arrangement of strings and late-night drums bringing colour and light to the LP’s 10 songs. Weller, a fan of Declan’s songwriting for some years, also adds his multi-instrumental abilities to the recordings, including a beautiful piano accompaniment to the closing track.
“Proffering reassurance in the face of inevitable sorrow” is what New York Times music writer Jon Pareles has said about Declan O’Rourke. Not many people would have thought that such praise would have so significant a purpose during a prolonged time of global turmoil, but – as his many admirers know only too well – O’Rourke has been spreading hope, love and emotional clarity for over 15 years.
Arrivals deftly balances the personal and the political. The personal – it is assuredly his most emotive and intimate work to date – comes from O’Rourke’s admission that he has always been guided by family.
Alongside a vision of seeing the personal and political run in parallel and occasionally intersect on Arrivals, is the way in which textural layers have been stripped away.
Declan O’Rourke New Album Arrivals is out now on eastwest
Friday 9 April 2021
Award-winning Irish singer songwriter Declan O’Rourke returns after 2 years with his new Paul Weller-produced Arrivals, the most emotionally raw and affecting album of his career.
Recorded over six days at Black Barn studios in Surrey, with Weller producing (“he was there every moment, before, during and long after, discussing ideas about this and that, even down to the artwork. It was hugely impressive…”), Arrivals sees Declan O’Rourke present his art in a different yet wholly distinctive manner.
The sound is stripped back to Declan’s soulful and resonant voice, the virtuosic acoustic guitar playing for which he’s renowned and only the occasional sparse arrangement of strings and late-night drums bringing colour and light to the LP’s 10 songs.
Weller, a fan of Declan’s songwriting for some years, also adds his multi-instrumental abilities to the recordings, including a beautiful piano accompaniment to the closing track.
“Proffering reassurance in the face of inevitable sorrow” is what New York Times music writer Jon Pareles has said about Declan O’Rourke. Not many people would have thought that such praise would have so significant a purpose during a prolonged time of global turmoil, but – as his many admirers know only too well – O’Rourke has been spreading hope, love and emotional clarity for over 15 years.
“Over time, I have found that being an artist is a process of stripping away layers of yourself in order to get to the core, to get to something that is pure and honest,” says O’Rourke.
He has reached that with his latest batch of songs, yet he has also reached back to what inspired him, and entranced his listeners, when he first performed his songs in small venues. “I recently played Arrivals to a cousin of mine; she used to come and see me all the time in the early days when I’d play – just me and the guitar – at open mic nights. This album, she said, led her to feel that in many ways people were going to hear me for the first time. That made a lot of sense to me.”
Arrivals deftly balances the personal and the political. The personal – it is assuredly his most emotive and intimate work to date – comes from O’Rourke’s admission that he has always been guided by family. “It’s at the heart of everything for me,” he acknowledges. “I know situations for some people are different, but for myself, family is the well, the source. When all is said and done, your family and those around you are the most important things in the world.”
Emerging at a time when the world is in a phase of serious flux, Arrivals is also his most political and humanitarian. “We all feel very strongly about various aspects of what is happening in the world right now, and I don’t know if I ever managed to speak my mind well about them before. I am fascinated by the past, either in a nostalgic way or through seeing how history has unfolded and what has been revealed. These times are so engaging, compelling, however, that I’ve been pulled into the present. It just happened and I’m glad I let it through.”
Alongside a vision of seeing the personal and political run in parallel and occasionally intersect on Arrivals, is the way in which textural layers have been stripped away.
“I was probably a bit more impetuous early on in my career,” O’Rourke explains. “You want to make something mature and evolved, so you naturally think you need to add things to make the end result sophisticated. The opposite is true, however. The more noise you add, the more you struggle to hear the space around you. That level of quietude has taken me a while to get in my recordings, but I think with Arrivals I have.”
“I would like to think my writing is just a reflection of where I am at any given time,” he reasons, “but I guess it’s possible you get better at engaging with yourself and figuring out what you really want to say. I’ve always enjoyed the company of older people and been attracted to the wisdom and philosophies that are the gifts of age. I’m also used to hearing people, particularly artists, say that as they get older, they care less about what other people think, and that you just say whatever you want. I’m only 44 now, but I’m really gravitating towards that mindset.”
Arrivals is available on Vinyl, CD and digital download HERE.
“It’s an album that confirms his status as one of Ireland’s finest songwriters and performers” RnR 5*****
““the quintessential songwriter’s songwriter” The Irish Times 4****
“a masterful lyricist and staggering guitarist.” 4**** MOJO
O’Rourke has become something of a songwriter’s songwriter, whose supporters have numbered John Prine, James Taylor….if he’s been a best-kept secret up to now ARRIVALS should finally blow his cover 8/10 Uncut magazine
“Declan O’Rourke is an Irish songwriter well into his career and maturing quietly into one of the most significant Irish singers and writers of his generation.” Mark Radcliffe – BBC Radio 2 Folk Show
Declan O’Rourke With Very Special Guests present Arrivals Album Launch Livestream from the Abbey Theatre
Wednesday 14 April 2021 at 8pm BST
Recorded over six days at Black Barn studios in Surrey, with Paul Weller producing, Arrivals sees Declan O’Rourke present the most emotionally raw and affecting album of his career, which is already garnering rave reviews. Pre-order HERE.
O’Rourke’s last album Chronicles Of The Great Irish Famine, documented rare first-hand accounts from that devastating period of Irish history and garnered numerous awards. His writing is much admired and covered by fellow artists, most notably his classic 2004 song “Galileo” which has been recorded by Eddi Reader and Josh Groban amongst others.
Declan O’Rourke with very Special Guests – Arrivals Album Launch Livestream from the Abbey Theatre Dublin
O’Rourke has become something of a songwriter’s songwriter, whose supporters have numbered John Prine, James Taylor….if he’s been a best-kept secret up to now ARRIVALS should finally blow his cover 8/10 Uncut magazine
“a masterful lyricist and staggering guitarist.” 4**** MOJO
“Declan O’Rourke is an Irish songwriter well into his career and maturing quietly into one of the most significant Irish singers and writers of his generation.” Mark Radcliffe – BBC Radio 2 Folk Show
Arrivals video
‘Arrivals centers around family history, my own directly too, people moving and coming back, the missing, the re-connecting. We all know these feelings. But while the song was written a thousand times, and recorded all before our world changed so much, it feels even more poignant to me now’.
Executive Producer of the Arrivals video, Dearbhla Walsh – Film & Television Director (Fargo/The Handmaid’s Tale) had this to say:
‘The familiar story of family emigration in the song ‘Arrivals’ resonated so powerfully for me with the dawning reality of how similar 2020‘s Christmas would be to those of generations gone by – suddenly there were ghosts where once there were heartfelt family hugs. Getting to collaborate with Declan on this video was one of the few joys of COVID. Ever since I heard ‘Galileo’, I’ve been an admirer of Declan’s songwriting & inimitable voice, an authentic storyteller in the old fashioned way – one man & his guitar singing from the heart’.
New Single ‘ARRIVALS’ OUT TOMORROW, 26TH FEBRUARY 2021
“Anyone who hears Declan O’Rourke’s music is instantly “involved” with it. In the space of one song, he will produce from you both joy and tears, smiles and heartbreak. Whatever the subject matter, Declan will involve you somehow. This is the art of the Great Storyteller. This is a gift….
I love his stories of life; his life and home, his family, his neighbours – people. His lessons in history, (we were never taught), and also the history that is in the making, and the beautiful things we humans are capable of.
He is in a field of his own, the roots are in the fertile tradition of folk music, (people’s music), but with that he brings such modernity and timelessness to his words and music that is far, far reaching. Beyond limiting categories.
I am privileged to have a part in it. To be involved.
Paul Weller, 2020
Declan O’Rourke’s new single Arrivals, the title track of his much anticipated, Paul Weller produced album, is out tomorrow, Feb 26 2021. The full album is due on the revised release date of April 9 2021 via eastwest records.
Declan says of his latest single:
‘Arrivals centers around family history, my own directly too, people moving and coming back, the missing, the re-connecting. We all know these feelings. But while the song was written a thousand times, and recorded all before our world changed so much, it feels even more poignant to me now’.
Executive Producer of the Arrivals video, Dearbhla Walsh – Film & Television Director (Fargo/The Handmaid’s Tale) had this to say:
‘The familiar story of family emigration in the song ‘Arrivals’ resonated so powerfully for me with the dawning reality of how similar 2020‘s Christmas would be to those of generations gone by – suddenly there were ghosts where once there were heartfelt family hugs. Getting to collaborate with Declan on this video was one of the few joys of COVID. Ever since I heard ‘Galileo’, I’ve been an admirer of Declan’s songwriting & inimitable voice, an authentic storyteller in the old fashioned way – one man & his guitar singing from the heart’.
Arrivals showcases O’Rourke’s first new material in two years and brings us the most emotionally raw and affecting album of his career. Produced by Paul Weller at Black Barn Studio, Surrey, the sound is stripped back to Declan’s soulful and resonant voice, the virtuosic acoustic guitar playing for which he’s renowned and only the occasional sparse arrangement of strings and late-night drums bringing colour and light to the LP’s 10 songs. Weller, a fan of Declan’s songwriting for some years, also adds his multi-instrumental abilities to the recordings, including a beautiful piano accompaniment to the closing track.
O’Rourke’s last album Chronicles Of The Great Irish Famine, documented rare first-hand accounts from that devastating period of Irish history and garnered numerous awards. His writing is much admired and covered by fellow artists, most notably his classic 2004 song “Galileo” which has been recorded by Eddi Reader and Josh Groban amongst others.
Pre-order Arrivals here
Love is the way for alone
New Single ‘The Stars Over Kinvara’ released 6th Jan 2021
Declan O’Rourke’s new single The Stars Over Kinvara is out now, the fourth glimpse of his highly anticipated, Paul Weller produced album Arrivals due on the revised release date of March 5 2021 via eastwest records.
Commenting on the theme behind the song, Declan says:
“Possibly the sweetest moment ever in your life is the one in which you can stand back and look at the beautiful chain of human beings before, and in front of you… to sense your place among them, and to feel the magic and the un-aloneness of the whole thing.”
Listen to The Stars Over Kinvara HERE and watch the new video HERE.
The video for The Stars Over Kinvara was recorded at Black Barn studio and features Declan performing the track with accompaniment from cellist Izzi Dunn.
In late January, Declan will play a showcase as part of the prestigious UK AmericanaFest and perform at Scotland’s celebrated international festival Celtic Connections, both of which are being held virtually this year.
Season’s Greetings from Declan
Hello All,
Here is a little video message from me, for the time of year that’s in it…
I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Season’s Greetings, Happy Holidays, whichever you choose!
My heartfelt thanks for your fine company and support this year. Here’s to a bumper 2021 for all of us 😉
Be safe!
With love
DOR x
A taste of what is yet to come…
watch ‘IN PAINTERS’ LIGHT’
You can now watch the video for my brand new single, In Painter’s Light from my forthcoming record Arrivals (out Feb 5th)
Toby Mortimer, who was so much fun to work with, created a beautiful animated film to accompany it.
In Painter’s Light is available to stream everywhere HERE.
In Painters’ Light
A couple of years ago, some friends from Australia came to visit us here; my pal Jim Moginie, and Christabel Blackman, an artist and professional art restorer, just back from a long stint in Spain.
I can’t remember the exact context, but during one of our conversations a couple of words jumped out in the middle of something Christabel said. I loved it. “I’ve never heard that before”, I said. Christabel kindly elaborated, “yeah, the early light of morning for an hour or so, is called Painter’s light.”
(I’m paraphrasing here, so I’m hoping she’ll forgive my memory.) But it was just beautiful, and conjured up so much.
So here I am, introducing my next song (and single), from Arrivals, In Painters’ Light.
Toby Mortimer, who was so much fun to work with, created a beautiful animated film to accompany it, and built in some lovely elements common to both our journeys. With his contribution I realised the whole thing had come full circle again.
It will be out this Friday for all of you to hear, and the video will premier courtesy of the good people at Folk Radio UK from 9am-12 noon (GMT) the same morning.
I hope you enjoy it 😉
DOR x
watch ‘ANDY SELLS COKE’
You can now watch the video for my brand new single, Andy Sells Coke. It’s the second from my forthcoming record Arrivals (out Feb 5th), produced by the legend Paul Weller at the legendary Black Barn Studio in Surrey. Happy to share with you that Andy Sells Coke is available to stream everywhere HERE.WATCH ‘THE HARBOUR’
Hello,
I can’t believe it’s been three weeks since my mail to you announcing the forthcoming album Arrivals. It’s been a very enjoyable start to the buildup, and a bit of whirlwind, but a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to more.
A big thanks to those of you who tuned in on one platform or another and listened to The Harbour, our first release from the record, and to all those who’ve shown excitement for the overall project. Really cool to hear that the line about hammers and nails has resonated with so many of you!
The airplay, engagement, comments, messages and streams have all been very encouraging. We still have a long way to go, and a lot of work to do, in getting it to new ears, so that when the time comes, I can come play for you in the various territories. But the good news is there are two easy ways you can help…
The first is to simply share the songs to friends, with your recommendation. The other is to call up your favourite radio station and ask them to play The Harbour by Declan O’Rourke. If they haven’t heard of me (quite likely, as you are dotted all over the globe), don’t worry… If you tell them about me, they can no longer say they haven’t heard of me, right? Now if we can all visualize a snowball rolling down a hill, and just focus on that… !
Maybe you have a suggestion of your own on how we can spread the message further? They go here: [email protected]
The Feb 5th release of the record is still a fair way off, but we have begun the march together. To keep you warm along the way, as promised, we have supplies and provisions, and as ever, we want you guys to be the first to get a peek. So here is a preview to our second single from the record, Andy Sells Coke.
The accompanying video will be premiered exclusively by Entertainment Focus, this Friday 6th November at 9am here.
We hope you will enjoy it.
Love and thanks,
Declan
LISTEN TO ‘THE HARBOUR’
Hey…
In case you missed hearing my song The Harbour last night, floating up into the ether on a gust of BBC Radio 2 airwaves like a balloon on its maiden voyage… Here it is, available for all to hear for the first time…
Tomorrow, Fri 16th October, the accompanying video, made by the loveliest, softest and fluffiest hearted WOLFF you ever met, will be launched on Youtube at 8pm (GMT) when I do something I’ve never done before… I’m going to enter a kind of live youtube chatroom to have a yap with any of you who’d like to ask questions about it.
Come and hold my hand!
Be nice now 😀
But before all that, if any of you are near a radio later today, from about 3:45pm (Irish time) onwards, I’ll be having a long overdue catch up chat with Ray D’Arcy on RTE Radio 1 (**from 0:52) I need a bit of Ray in my life… Who doesn’t 😉
Thanks so much to all you of who’ve sent lovely comments and shared your excitement over the last couple of days… lots more to come.
Declan x
ANNOUNCING ‘ARRIVALS
Last summer, before this crazy time descended upon us, I went to London and made a new record. It was recorded over 6 days, in what I already feel was a kind of golden bubble. I had a collection of new songs I felt were sitting nicely together, and say something honest about my life at the moment. A kind of self-portrait if you will, but sometimes taking in the wider picture of the times we inhabit.
Along with the urge to record came the urge to try something unusual and fun in the approach. To start with, I wanted another pair of ears that I could trust…
Almost on a whim one day, I asked Paul Weller if he’d like to produce it. We’d built up a nice friendship over a number of years, and were in touch. I knew he’d be a great man to have steering the boat. His response was as good as I could have hoped for, and the journey that followed was, I feel, even better.
The result of all this, is that ‘Arrivals’ will be released February 5th, 2021, on eastwest records through Warner Music UK. Its first single, The Harbour will premiere on The Folk Show with Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2 this Wednesday, 14th October 9pm (GMT).
I wanted to invite all of you to be the first to hear the news, as a thank you for your ongoing support.
If you are on spotify, instagram, facebook, twitter, bip-bap, zing zang, or whatever they call the ever-growing list of platforms, please FOLLOW, LIKE, and SHARE, over there, and do whatever you can to bang the drum, if you like it. This is how the word is spread these days. My appreciation for your part in both sharing the journey up until now, and for helping it to continue in the future.
Stay tuned for more songs, videos, interviews, snippets, and sneak peeks along the way, and by the time we all get together again – some lovely, and not too distant day in the future my friends – we’ll have something to sing about 😉
In the meantime please take care out there. Look after yourselves, and those you love.
All of mine…
Declan x
Ps – if there’s anyone you think would like to be on the fan club mailing list, or who should be on it and isn’t, please invite them to join the mailing list.
DECLAN PLAYS THE LAUNCH OF THE NATIONAL FAMINE WAY
Declan plays the Launch of the National Famine Way by EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum at CHQ on Custom House Quay, on May 30th, 2019. Free tickets available here.
REMEMBER MIX TAPES?
Would you like to hear one ?
I was reluctant and slow to try out Spotify for a while but have recently been discovering how cool it is for this purpose (among other things)…
So I’ve gone and carefully created my first playlist / mixtape over there for you – on my Spotify profile – DIDN’T EVEN KNOW I HAD ONE until a few weeks back but there you go!
Sunday afternoon is my favourite time of the week to listen to music. It reminds me of being a kid when my Mam and Dad used to put records on, so it will go live this Sunday but you can listen anytime you want.
Some of you have already been following me there it seems, but for those of you who are not, it’s got ‘almost’ all of my music up there. And now I’ll also be over there DJing in the corner and sharin’ some of my favourite music and new discoveries with you every once in a while. BUZZ!!
So comin over? Just press this FOLLOW button to join me, or to get set up.
Launch is this Sun 1st December 2019 at 10am Irish time.
DECLAN INVITED TO PLAY SPECIAL GUEST FOR MIDNIGHT OIL
We’re delighted to announce that the magnificent and iconic Australian band Midnight Oil has invited Declan to open their show as a special guest when they play the Dublin date of their world tour this June 11th, 2019 at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre.
Declan has won the BEST ORIGINAL FOLK TRACK for Along the Western Seaboard from his latest album ‘Chronicles Of The Great Irish Famine’ at the inaugural RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards which took place on October 25th 2018 in Vicar Street, Dublin.
Declan was presented with the award by Moya Cannon, celebrated author and poet. The event was broadcast live on RTÉ Radio 1 and celebrates the huge range of folk music being played in Ireland today.
Declan was nominated for BEST FOLK SINGER and BEST ORIGINAL FOLK TRACK for Along the Western Seaboard.
Also attending the awards were Christy Moore, Lisa O’Neill, Martin Hayes and Andy Irvine
KYABRAM IS BACK! NEW RELEASE AND TOUR.
Since Kyabram was re-released Nov 16th 2018, and is available now via the Warners store, Declan’s own store, and usual outlets.
The record is available on vinyl for the first time, and the CD version has been re-packaged into a deluxe 6 panel digipak, that includes a 20 page booklet with lyrics, and new retrospective liner notes by the artist, giving insights into the recording of each song, and the build up to the making of the record.
Look out for snippets of these around the site, and click here to get your copy…
To celebrate the re-release of his classic 2004 debut, O’Rourke will take members of the original band around Ireland this December for a handful of nostalgic, and uplifting shows. Including Galileo, No Brakes, Sarah, Love Is The Way, and Marrying The Sea, the band will play the entire album, along with outakes, and a few surprises!
Happy Halloween!
Happy Halloween from Steve Wickham and I from Derry last night where we filmed ‘Samhain Live’ with some of the Kyabram band. Hope you got to tune in!
Declan to perform Chronicles of the Great Irish Famine at Manchester Charity Concert
Declan is to perform Chronicles of the Great Irish Famine in its entirety at a special charity concert in aid of Action Against Hunger at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) Manchester, on the evening of Sunday 14th October at 7pm.
Chronicles of the Great Irish Famine is a moving and evocative insight into a chapter of Irish history that has largely faded from collective memory.
Declan spent 15 years researching and developing the album, and will be accompanied by a full band for this landmark concert. This includes John Sheahan on fiddle, whistle and mandolin, Jack Maher on guitar, banjo, mandolin & vocals, Floriane Blanche on harp & vocals, Chris Herzberger on fiddle & viola and Dan Bodwell on Bass.
Francine Heggie, Head of Community Fundraising at Action Against Hunger, says the concert is an apt reminder that famine and its effects are never far away: “Declan’s masterpiece tells a story from 170 years ago, but global hunger is on the rise again, affecting 815 million people in 2016, or 11 per cent of the global population.”
Proceeds from the concert will help support Action Against Hunger’s work saving the lives of malnourished children and providing families with access to safe water and good nutrition in nearly 50 countries around the globe.
Donations can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/liam-ferguson5
Chronicles of the Great Irish Famine has earned widespread critical acclaim and has been nominated for a number of album of the year accolades.
Tickets, priced £24 plus booking fee, are available directly from the RCNM here or via the box office on +44 (0)161 907 5555.
Chronicles of the Great Irish Famine – UK Tour in April
Here’s a short video we made during the recent beautiful, and unexpected show that was put on by ‘The Beast From The East’ storm, a la Mother Nature.
I was reminded that the winter of 1845 into 1846, which marked the beginning of a series of events now known as ‘The Great Irish Famine’ or ‘An Gorta Mór’ was one of the worst winters in living memory across Europe.
Perhaps it wouldn’t have looked so different to this…
When I do get back out on the road next month, I’m very much looking forward to this little UK tour, in celebration of my BBC Folk award nomination.
Chronicles on US iTunes
Delighted to announce that Chronicles Of The Great Irish Famine is finally available on iTunes in the US. You can access it via this link.
NCH Valentines Day 2018
Its just been confirmed in time for Christmas, the annual swoon is on!
Declan will take to the stage of Dublin’s National Concert Hall again on Feb 14th, back by the epic 50 piece RTE Concert Orchestra, and this year there will be at least one surprise special guest to boot. We’re so excited!
Chronicles – Top 5 Irish Albums
The Sun votes Chronicles Of The Great Irish Famine as one of the Top 5 Irish albums of the year.
Read about it here.
Happy Christmas from Declan
Happy Christmas!
Special thanks to all of you out there who have supported Chronicles Of The Great Irish Famine both in its gestation, and through its delivery, and for picking up a copy of the record, and or coming to a show somewhere on the Chronicles Irish Tour.
I’m so proud of this music, and these songs, and what the musicians added to the whole thing just blows my mind. Everybody involved really delivered, and although they were the dream band to put together for this, they brought more than I could have ever dreamed.
I look forward to performing its contents here, there and everywhere with their help for a long time to come.
It is available at most retail outlets throughout Ireland, via mail order at the Warners website, and digitally everywhere else in the world.
It’s crazy out there in the ever changing music industry with artists vying for limited shelf space and fighting the noise to be heard, so if you have any trouble finding the album, or securing a copy please do let us know.
It will help us to make sure it available where it needs to be, and to help you, and other music lovers get your hands on it too.
I want to wish all of you DOR subscribers and your families a wonderful Christmas and holiday season, and I look forward to sharing a wonderful 2018 with you.
For those of you who haven’t got around to hearing the record yet, treat yourself to a copy for Christmas – ORDER HERE.
Declan O’Rourke Newsletter December 2017
ALBUM OF THE YEAR Nomination, Competition Winners, Festivals, Tours, Reviews, and Podcasts!
Chronicles Of The Great Irish Famine – Irish Tour
The response to the 6 shows we’ve had so far on the tour has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are having a really great time!!
Huge thanks to the good people of Galway, Newry, Westport, Listowel, and Cork for their wonderful support and enthusiasm towards the shows!
This is where the tour goes over the rest of the month:
December 15th: Dolans, Limerick.
December 20th: The Glassworks, Derry
December 21st: Boyles, Slane (solo – or maybe not!)
December 22nd: The Hawkswell Theatre, Sligo
December 23rd: Theatre Royal, Waterford
Click HERE to buy your copy on CD, Digital, or Double gatefold vinyl no
Belated Competition Winners!
Well hilariously, despite the wonderful amount of entries to our last competition, I didn’t realise just how tricky the task I had set was, and nobody got the exact names right for the cover of the record!
Dermot Byrne was away on a gig in London that day you see, and Daragh Munnis, one of our videographers filled the role of Manning that day!
Two people – Mr. Roy Chowdhury Soutrik, and Maeve Kelly came close though, and they were close enough with these entries:
Therefore we give them both as the winning entries! Congratulations to you two, and we will be in touch with you in the immediate future to help you claim your prizes!
Nomination for ALBUM OF THE YEAR at fRoots magazine
Check out this review of Chronicles by David McNally in Britain’s famous fRoots magazine this month, in which we’re also told we’ve been nominated for album of the year!
The Record for Christmas
For those of you who haven’t got around to hearing the record yet, treat yourself to a copy for Christmas – Its available HERE! and someone will mail it to you in time for christmas morning 😉
Declan FFF Festival Western Australia
For all you lovely people who recently complained that there was no appearance in Western Australia during my recent tour, here are TWO dates this January to make up for it! And at a great festival too….
You can find details and purchase tickets HERE.
Celtic Connections
On February 1st, the Chronicles band and I will be appearing at Glasgow’s The Mitchell Theatre for Celtic Connections.
Feb 1. Glasgow. Mitchell Theatre. (Celtic Connections Festival)
UK Tour
With great delight I hereby announce a tour of the UK, coming up in April of 2018! I will be joined by a good selection of the Chronicles band too ;))
April 10th : The Borderline, London
April 11th : Greystones, Sheffield
April 12th : The Met, Bury
April 13th : Queens Hall, Edinburgh
April 15th : Tolbooth, Stirling
Podcasts!
My old friend Ray Heffernan, from IMRO songwriters week days, and other wild adventures, recently started up a fabulous new series of podcasts entitled ‘The Irish Songwriter’.
I (along with lots of songwriters I greatly admire from this island), was delighted to take part in some in extremely enjoyable conversations with him about the artistic process and the like.
HERE is a mini podcast he made, based around my conversations with him.
If you like it, share it, and subscribe so you can hear others like it!
I would wish Ray luck with this new adventure, but it’s so good he will not need it. I’m sure you’ll agree!
That’s it!
Thanks for reading, and Happy Christmas from Declan and all the team here at declanorourke.com
For any enquiries please contact [email protected]
The Late Late Show
Declan will be playing the Late Late Show tonight with about half the players on the record, and some other special guests! Do tune in… you can watch it outside of Ireland on the RTE PLAYER HERE! Just click on LIVE and TUNE IN.
Johnny and the Lantern – Exclusive New Video
Declan O’Rourke Newsletter 2017
Tour Dates for IRELAND, US, AUSTRALIA, and NEW ZEALAND.
PLUS announcement of the Pre-sale of ‘CHRONICLES OF THE GREAT IRISH FAMINE’ the brand new record, 15 years in the making. And more…
‘Chronicles of the Great Irish Famine’ Tour, Dec 2017
Declan O’Rourke announces the October release of his new album ‘Chronicles Of The Great Irish Famine’ followed by a full band tour across Ireland in December 2017. Click here to purchase album!
Fifteen years in the making, this epic song cycle combines the best of traditional Irish music and the heart of modern song-writing to present a series of extraordinary true tales from the most dynamic period in Ireland’s history.
A 9-piece band will accompany Declan to tour the new compositions across Ireland, including Mike McGoldrick, Dermot Byrne, Floriane Blancke, Jack Maher, Chris Herzberger, Catriona Frost, Rob Calder and John Sheahan.
Look for a date near you here:
2nd December – Black Box Theatre, Galway
3rd December – Number Seven Duke Street, Warrenpoint
7th December – Westport Town Hall
8th December – Theatre St.John’s, Listowel
9th December – Live At St. Luke’s, Cork
10th December – Live At St. Luke’s, Cork
14th December – Vicar Street, Dublin
15th December – Dolans Pub / Warehouse, Limerick
20th December – The Glassworks, Derry
22nd December – Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo
23rd December – Theatre Royal Waterford
Australian Tour – Sept/October 2017
O’Rourke has announced plans to head down to Australia for a tour this Sept/Oct.
Having already been announced as part of the Dashville Skyline Festival, we have now added dates in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and Adelaide.
Check out the full list of dates below:
Wed 27 Sept – MELBOURNE : The Spotted Mallard
Thurs 28 Sept – MELBOURNE : Caravan Club
Fri 29 Sept – NEW SOUTH WALES : Dashville Skyline festival (NSW)
Sun 1 Oct – BRISBANE : Black Bear Lodge
Tues 3 Oct – CANBERRA : Ainslie Arts Centre
Wed 4 Oct – ADELAIDE : The Wheatsheaf
Thurs 5 Oct – SYDNEY : The Factory Theatre
We kindly again ask you all to help you spread the word to friends and family in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Canberra.
New Zealand Tour – October 2017
O’Rourke releases news of his first ever tour of New Zealand for a very special series of concerts and festival appearances:
Sat 7 Oct – HAWKES BAY ARTS FESTIVAL (With Vishtėn) : The Blyth Performing Arts Centre
Sun 8 Oct – TAURUNGA : The Barrel Room
Wed Oct 11 – NEW PLYMOUTH : 4th Wall Theatre
Thurs Oct 12 – PAEKAKARIKI : Saint Peters Village Hall
Fri Oct 13 – WELLINGTON : The Third Eye
Sat Oct 14 – WAIRARAPA : Kokamai Creative Festival
Sun Oct 15 – NELSON : Nelson Arts Festival (With Vishtėn)
Please spread the word to your friends and family in NZ that Declan is making his first trip, not to be missed!
USA Tour – November 2017
The Annual migration to the East coast of America is set again and this year Declan will appear as a trio with long time bass playing Buddy Rob Calder, and lip smacking Drum wizard Pete Wilhoit. (He does smack his lips sometimes)
Check out a concert near you:
Chronicles of the Great Irish Famine for Pre-order
IT’S FINALLY HERE!
We are delighted to announce that pre-sales for Declan’s long awaited ‘Chronicles of the Great Irish Famine’ will open next Monday from 10am GMT, and you can order your copy on CD or VINYL here to get it before anyone else!
Watch for the mail next week with links and details…
Gold Bars Artist Goes Solo!
Last but not least…
Hey, do you all remember the incredible artwork from Gold Bars In The Sun??
Well, its creator, David Rooney has since turned his hand to a long neglected passion for writing songs and finally made his first record last year, Bound Together, which is a great group of songs, the recording of which Declan happened to co-produce.
David’s record can be found on spotify, and iTunes, and all things David Rooney can be found on his Facebook page here but in the meantime here is here is the link to his amazing new video MOONDUST which of course he did the artwork for!
We wish David all the best on his new music adventure!
Return to Oz
322 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley 4006 QLD
7pm doors. 7:30pm show.
Transatlantic Sessions USA
I am so proud to share the news that for the second time, I got the call to be part of the Transatlantic Sessions, a rare honour I believe! Its hitting America for the first time this season next weekend… Look at those names 🙂
I think this poster will be on my wall until the wall falls down…
Dates include:
APR 28+30 – WILKESBORO, NC (MERLEFEST)
MAY 1 – ALEXANADRIA,VA
MAY 2 – GLENDSIDE, PA
MAY 3 – BOSTON, MA
MAY 4 NEW YORK, NY
Chronicles of the Great Irish Famine…
…is the title.
Finally the time has come and I can share with you all that I started work on this record in January of this year with the intention to release it around October this year. Knee deep in the process and very excited right now. Stay tuned for news and tour dates etc…
New UK Agent
Have been really enjoying playing some shows in the UK over the last couple of years, and this was partly due to discovering how cool it is to get the ferry over and drive yourself around at your leisure with as many guitars as you like! No need for all those airport hassles. Freedom!
So I went and found myself a UK agent and intend to do a lot more in the future. For any of you who would like to see me at your favourite venue please get onto the people who run it and tell them we are considering dates for early 2018.
Here’s where they’d get in touch…
Unique Gravity
[email protected]
www.uniquegravity.co.uk
Tours and Upcoming Dates
Check out the 
page for news of more dates later in the year, including a US tour in November and a first official tour of New Zealand, and of course dates closer to home.
