Paul O'Reilly - Writer, Singer, Musician, Lilter

Latest in Singing & Music ...

Paul's new album, THE POET'S DREAM: 26 Folk Songs from County Wexford - A DOUBLE CD WITH HELEN KIRWAN, is here.

A double-album of 26 tracks, including previously unreleased songs composed by MJ O’Reilly, the Cooper family of Monageer, and Paul O’Reilly, together with new arrangements of songs from the Paddy Berry collections, it covers many topics ranging from steam threshings, fleadhs, lamentations, risings, hunger strikes, local scuffles, the Queen’s bed, hunts, Jack Barry, the Strawberry Fair, the village of Monageer, the railway tunnel and many more ...

With lead vocals by Paul and Helen Kirwan, and performances by Paddy Berry, Padraig Sinnott and Tom Murphy, this album is a document of the past, a recording of hits of their time; hits that never made the charts but brought so much joy, and sometimes controversy, to the people of the day.

As well as vocals, lilting and whistling, Paul also plays guitar, bouzouki, bodhrán, mandolin and whistle on the album. It was recorded and mixed by Paul in his studio, and mastered by Aidan Foley at Masterlabs. The cover image is a painting by Paul's good friend, and Wexford artist, John Cullen. The booklet contains 28-pages, containing all lyrics and a background-note by Paul on each track. The total running time is approx. 130 minutes.

In November, 2008, the new album from traditional ballad singer John Ennis, THE TOMHAGGARD MARTYR, was launched. Paul produced the album for John. Copies of the album are now available.

In September, 2008, Paul was awarded funding under the Arts Council of Ireland's Deis scheme (a scheme established under the Arts Councils Traditional Arts Initiative) to produce a new album of material selected from the 'M.J. O'Reilly' (All-Ireland ballad composer) and 'History in Verse' (compositions from the Cooper family of Monageer, County Wexford) collections. This material is unrecorded to date, and hence Paul saw the need to revive some of these powerful, historical ballads, hoping to give them a contemporary, yet traditional, sound. Paul will collaborate with fellow Whisht! members Helen Kirwan and Paddy Berry on the album. Paul will play guitars, bouzouki and mandolin, and guest musicians will appear to strengthen the production. Paul will also include two of his own compositions. The working title of the album is THE POET'S DREAM. It is due out June 2009.

As well as solo, and collaborative performances (mainly traditional/folk nowadays), Paul also performs with WHISHT! - a group of traditional singers who live in County Wexford, Ireland. United by a love of songs and singing they are driven by a desire to share their passion with a wider audience.

WHISHT! released their acclaimed debut album, THE CUCKOO'S NOTE, in 2007. On it, Paul sings in traditional Irish style with Paddy Berry, Helen Kirwan, Elaine Gleeson, Darina Gleeson and Niall Wall. Supported by The Arts Council of Ireland.

WHISHT! performed in the world premiere of HARBOURING for multiple choirs and string orchestra in June 2008. Composed by Ian Wilson, the performance will featured: Wexford Festival Singers, Enniscorthy Choral Society, Gorey Choral Group, and Whisht!. Read more about WHISHT!

As well as regularly performing with Whisht!, Paul is also an accomplished traditional guitar accompanyist, and performs with various traditional groups from Wexford.

Reviews ...

: THE CUCKOO'SNOTE

"I was driving to Clare and when I put in the CD I was absolutely taken by what I heard. And I was surprised, because when you hear somebody talking about a group, you presume they're all going to be singing, or playing, together. But what I heard was a fantastic hour of solo traditional singing. And alot of people, I think, when they hear of an album of unaccompanied traditional singing, they think: that mightn't be too easy to listen to, or I might just listen to a few songs now, and a few songs later. But let me tell you that when you listen to The Cuckoo's Note, and just listen to the variety in the singing styles, and in the types of songs - it's an absolutely lovely, lovely production.

It's a lovely way, and it's a very unusual way, I think, to present traditional singing.

Also, when we hear songs put together by local singers, there is often a tendency to stick very rigidly with local songs, for example, or maybe with songs that have been recorded by other people. But what you have on the Whisht! album, The Cuckoo's Note, is a great mixture of some songs that we've all heard before, some songs that Wexford people maybe have heard before, and also some songs that none of us have probably heard before. So it's a great mixture in that respect, and there are also a couple of Irish language songs in there as well, which was really nice to hear.

Recorded in Liam Clancy Studios, when you listen to the CD, you can really hear the result of the work and the care that went into the recording, and the post-production of the CD. And also into the sleeve-notes, which are really beautifully done."

Áine Hensey, RTÉ Radio One

"... a lovely album, well worth having ..."

Dan Walsh, South East Radio

: TAKE A WISH

"Wexford-based singer-songwriter Paul O'Reilly blends folk, country and traditional styles in equal measure on this impressive self-produced debut. Though claiming influences from James Taylor, Neil Young and Bob Dylan among others, his main inspiration appears to lie much closer to home. Jimmy McCarthy is one clear influence on his song writing approach - you could easily imagine Mary Black performing a song like 'Be With You' or the poignant title track. With its shuffling country rhythm, 'Expressions' is more than slightly reminiscent of Mick Hanley's 'Past The Point Of Rescue' while the tin whistle accompaniment lends a song like 'Run Now Run' a strong traditional feel.

His lyrical subject matter is in the main introspective, dealing with life and relationships in all their complexities. But he's not afraid to tackle serious issues such as a failing marriage ('Leave The Key Behind') or domestic violence ('Bobby's Tears'). He even broaches the thorny subject of current Middle-Eastern politics on 'Arabs Tent' - a song that sonically evokes the spirit of Moving Heart's classic 'Hiroshima Nagasaki (Russian Roulette)'.

While the production and acoustic accompaniment is stripped down with minimal studio gimmickry, the arrangements are sympathetically carried out. O'Reilly is an impressive guitar player too, as evidenced by the fret-work on 'Ode To See' which is very much in the style of Paul Brady's 'Arthur McBride'.

O'Reilly shows plenty of promise here."

Colm O' Hare - Hotpress - 21/01/2004

"I first came across the superb musical talent of Paul O’Reilly at the Wexford Songwriters Club, at one of our regular Tuesday night shows in Finnegan’s, South Main Street, Wexford. Paul is a powerfully melodic singer, with a masterful touch on his well-crafted guitar accompaniments. So it was an exiting prospect to be asked to review his album Take A Wish, and this recording certainly didn’t disappoint. From the soulfully plaintive, Ode to See, to the more upbeat Expressions, to the country roots feel of Leave the Key Behind, Paul takes us down a diverse musical road that is paved with expressive lyrics and richly woven accompaniments. Throughout the album, Paul’s words are a prime example of how to express feelings without soppy sentimentality. The opening love song, Be With You, hits the mark without descending into worn-out clichés. There is social comment here too. The Arabs Tent, encompasses the wars in the Middle East and shows off the virtuosity of Richard King (formerly of Threepenny Opera) on lead guitar and dobro. Paul demonstrates the breadth of his scope in The Prom Song, which deals with a down-and-out man and his life. This is a folk song in the Stockton’s Wing mode, with a haunting whistle accompaniment from Padraig Sinnott of Fonn. In fact, in the course of this recording, Paul surrounds himself with other great musicians. Shelly O’Reilly gives outstanding piano performances on Be With You and Goodbye, while Siobhan McCormack adds a beautiful female dimension to the vocals on Leave the Key Behind. M.J. O’Reilly’s harmonica on the heart-rending Bobby’s Tears is subtle and tuneful. Throughout the album, and especially on the title track, Paul’s vocals and harmonies are well polished. Also, his bass and bouzouki playing both give perfect rhythmic depth his well-crafted arrangements. Paul recorded, engineered and mixed these songs at his home and the professional quality of this album is a testimony to this man’s range of talents. Kieran Goss better move over, there is a new kid, and a new voice, on the block."

Ian Barry - Wexford Song Club - 16/07/2004

Discography ...

: GOOD OLD MONAGEER: Compilation Album - CD BY FR MURPHY BRANCH OF COMHALTAS (2009)

Produced by Padraig Sinnott, as well as accompanying the group with guitar and bouzouki, Paul lilts the ancient tune The Blackbird in set-dance and then reel time, and also sings a newly arranged Billy Cooper song, My Rambles Through Erin.

As well as a wealth of music, the album also includes other Billy Cooper songs - Good Old Monageer and The Monageer Hurlers - Mary Brogan singing Bagnel Harvey's Lament, and Helen Kirwan (nee Sinnott) singing Boolavogue.

Contact Paul for copies of this album.

: ECHOES OF ERIN: Comhaltas Concert Tour of North America - COMHALTAS CD (2009)

On the track Colonel Fraser, Paul accompanies Padraig Sinnott (pipes) with guitar and bouzouki.

Contact Comhaltas for copies of this album.

: THE POET'S DREAM: 26 Folk Songs from County Wexford - DOUBLE CD WITH HELEN KIRWAN (2009)

Track Listing:

1) The Steam Threshing, 2) The Adolescent Patriots, 3) The Battle on the Hill, 4) Farewell to Art Sinnott, 5) D'arcy's House, 6) The Men of Ninety Eight, 7) Tally Ho, 8) An Intern's Letter, 9) The Jolly Butcher, 10) Jack Barry, 11) The Tunnel, 12) The Busker, 13) The Concertina Man, 14) Pol and Nancy Hogan, 15) In Ninety Eight, 16) Don't Let the Ballad Die, 17) The Village Curs, 18) The Poet's Dream, 19) The Strawberry Fair, 20) Riversdale, 21) Listowel Fleadh, 22) Noble Father Dwyer, 23) The Queen's Bed, 24) Lodgings, 25) Good Old Monageer, 26) The Wild Geese of Killyleagh

Now available in USA from CDBaby, or click for the Rest of the World.

In September, 2008, Paul was awarded funding under the Arts Council of Ireland's Deis scheme (a scheme established under the Arts Councils Traditional Arts Initiative) to produce a new album of material selected from the 'M.J. O'Reilly' (All-Ireland ballad composer) and 'History in Verse: Collected by Liam Cooper' (compositions from the Cooper family of Monageer, County Wexford) collections.

A double-album of 26 tracks, including previously unreleased songs composed by MJ O’Reilly, the Cooper family of Monageer, and Paul O’Reilly, together with new arrangements of songs from the Paddy Berry collections, it covers many topics ranging from steam threshings, fleadhs, lamentations, risings, hunger strikes, local scuffles, the Queen’s bed, hunts, Jack Barry, the Strawberry Fair, the village of Monageer, the railway tunnel and many more ...

With lead vocals by Paul and Helen Kirwan, and performances by Paddy Berry, Padraig Sinnott and Tom Murphy, this album is a document of the past, a recording of hits of their time; hits that never made the charts but brought so much joy, and sometimes controversy, to the people of the day.

As well as vocals, lilting and whistling, Paul also plays guitar, bouzouki, bodhrán, mandolin and whistle on the album. It was recorded and mixed by Paul in his studio, and mastered by Aidan Foley at Masterlabs. The cover image is a painting by Paul's good friend, and Wexford artist, John Cullen. The booklet contains 28-pages, containing all lyrics and a background-note by Paul on each track. The total running time is approx. 130 minutes.

Helen Kirwan was raised in a townland called Meaugh, close to “Bookey’s Stream”, “The Harrow” and “Boolavogue”, famed in history and in song. A regular on Local & National radio, Helen has recorded and released her own album and also participated with other family members in the acclaimed “With Pike In Hand”. In 1998 Helen sang “Boolavogue” at the official commemorations in Enniscorthy and for the ‘98 Pageant in Wexford, following in the footsteps of her late father, Art Sinnott, who performed the same song in the 1948 production. In the same summer Helen also performed for President of Ireland Mary McAleese on the “Bright May Meadows” of Boolavogue. Helen is one of the leading members of the Ferns Traditional Singing Group and Whisht!.

Here is a map of areas in Wexford where most of the songs on The Poet's Dream came from.

View Larger Map

: HARBOURING - Live Performance CD (2008)

WHISHT! performed in the world premiere of HARBOURING for multiple choirs and string orchestra in June 2008.

Composed by Ian Wilson, the performance featured: Wexford Festival Singers, Enniscorthy Choral Society, Gorey Choral Group, and Whisht!.

“WHISHT! brought a powerful tonality to the choral and string orchestral harmony. These distinct tonalities brought three forces together and created the sound world, which coloured by the haunting accordian brought us to many unusual and personal harbourings." - (START Magazine)

Read more about WHISHT!

"Whisht! traditional singing group provided excellent tremelous vocals on Macquarie Harbour which is spooky and atomspheric ... Currach features excellent vocals from Helen Kirwan, with the male vocals equally strong. It is an intimate, genuinely moving performance, with hushed playing [from the Irish Chamber Orchestra] during which you could see a sudden tremor of life in the conductor's [Fergus Sheil's] hand as he went about his work ... The Harbour was written by Irish poet, Winifred Letts, and speaks of the Wexford coastline. It was an ideal finish to the musical event, including all of the choirs, with a paroxysm of emotion provided by Paddy Berry of Whisht!" (David Looby, The Echo)

"Currach, by Tony Curtis, was sung by Paddy Berry, Helen Kirwan, Paul O'Reilly and Niall Wall with delicate monochromes, and a vocal beauty at once as fleeting as wild tulips" (Tom Mooney, The Echo)

Not for sale.

: THE CUCKOO'S NOTE - CD WITH WHISHT! (2007)

Paul sings 'The Waterford Boys' and 'The Blooming Flower of Grange' in traditional Irish style with Paddy Berry, Helen Kirwan, Elaine Gleeson, Darina Gleeson and Niall Wall.

Engineered and mastered by Kevin Evans at Liam Clancy Studios, An Rinn, Co, Waterford, and designed by Karen Nolan Design, the album was partly funded by The Arts Council of Ireland.

Read more about WHISHT!

"I was absolutely taken by what I heard... a fantastic hour of solo traditional singing." - Áine Hensey, RTÉ Radio One

"... a lovely album, well worth having ..." - Dan Walsh, South East Radio

: CLASHING THE ASH - SINGLE WITH DARREN BYRNE (2004)

Sold out.

: TAKE A WISH - SOLO CD (2003)

Paul performs ten of his contemporary folk compositions on this debut solo album. Featuring guest musicians, the CD was self-produced, and recorded and mixed in Paul's home studio.

Under Copyright Control/IMRO.

Mastered by Mid Atlantic Digital, designed by Karen Nolan Design.

Track Listing - click to hear a 1MB sample:

1) Be with You, 2) Leave the Key Behind, 3) Ode to See, 4) Expressions, 5) Run Now Run, 6) The Prom Song, 7) Take A Wish, 8) Bobby's Tears, 9) The Arab's Tent, 10) Goodbye.

Colm O'Hare of Hotpress wrote: "Wexford-based singer-songwriter Paul O'Reilly blends folk, country and traditional styles in equal measure on this impressive self-produced debut".

Wexford Song Club wrote: "Paul O’Reilly is a powerfully melodic singer, with a masterful touch. He takes us down a diverse musical road that is paved with expressive lyrics and richly woven accompaniments".

: PRACTICALLY EVERY DAY! - CD - VARIOUS (2002)

Paul performs his song Schooldays Over on an album with the best of Wexford songwriters, including: Niall Toner, Clive Barnes, Justin Cullen and Mick Egan. Produced by Wexford Arts Centre, and supported by The Arts Council.

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: UNDERNEATH THE LIGHTS - EP - REILLY'S DAUGHTER (1998)

Paul has two of his songs, One Fine Time and When I Look Back, recorded by Reilly's Daughter, and guests on the tracks performing backing vocals, guitar and bodhrán.

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