Mickey MacConnell
Mickey MacConnell | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Michael MacConnell |
| Born | 28 December 1947 Bellanaleck, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland |
| Died | 3 July 2025 (aged 77) Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1965–2000 |
| Spouse | Maura |
| Website | mickeymacconnell |
Michael MacConnell (28 December 1947 – 3 July 2025) was a Northern Irish musician and songwriter.
Life and career
MacConnell was born on 28 December 1947, in Bellanaleck near Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.[1] He was the youngest member of a musical family. He worked in Dublin for Irish Press Group and, later, with The Irish Times.
MacConnell began writing songs very early in his life. In 1965,[2] he wrote "Only Our Rivers Run Free" — a song that describes the natural world being damaged by the Irish border and that has been described by Stuart Bailie as "political but not hectoring".[3] This encouraged him to seriously devote himself to writing music when he moved to Listowel, County Kerry, where he lived with his wife, Maura.[4]
MacConnell released two albums. His first album, Peter Pan and Me, was issued in 1992.[5] His second, Joined Up Writing, was released in 2000.
MacConnell died after a short illness in Listowel, on 3 July 2025, at the age of 77.[6][7]
Discography
| Name | Year | Label | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Pan And Me | 1992 | Spring Records | Album |
| Joined Up Writing | 2000 | Spring Records Elm Grove Music |
Album |
See also
References
- ^ De Breadún, Deaglán (13 July 2025). "Obituary: Mickey MacConnell, journalist, singer and songwriter who scored an cult online hit with The Ballad of Lidl & Aldi". Irish Independent. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ Loesberg, John, ed. Folksongs & Ballads Popular in Ireland, volume 3.
- ^ Bailie, Stuart (2018). Trouble Songs. Belfast: Bloomfield. p. 165. ISBN 978-1-5272-2047-8.
- ^ "WEST'S AWAKE: The Joys of Family". Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ^ "Mickey MacConnell, Peter Pan & Me". Rambles.net. 28 May 2005. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
- ^ Joy, Jack (4 July 2025). "Mickey MacConnell, writer of civil rights anthem 'Only Our Rivers Run Free', has died". Irish Independent. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ Breathnach, Joe (3 July 2025). "Mickey MacConnell ar shlí na fírinne" [Mickey MacConnell on the road to truth]. Extrag.ie (in Irish). Retrieved 7 July 2025.
External links
- Michael McConnell discography at Discogs