Mayo village is inspiration for Gerry's new single

Singer-songwriter Gerry Carney, from Bekan, has released a brand-new single, Aghamore – Ceart go Leor, and it’s already proving a hit with listeners and radio stations across the country. 

The lively, up-tempo track - perfect for dancing and jiving - carries Carney’s signature style of strong storytelling and high production values.

While many of his best-known songs, such as Paddy and Mayo Will Always Be Home, deal with emigration, this latest release looks at the theme from a more modern perspective. It tells the story of a man who went abroad, did well for himself, and returns to reconnect with Aghamore – only to find he must go back once more to earn more money in order to build the home he dreams of.

The Western People met up with Gerry Carney last week, and he explained how the song came to life - almost by accident.

“My daughter Lorna lives in Aghamore with her husband Brian and their three children,” he said. “One night we were just messing around on WhatsApp, sending lines back and forth, and by the end of it, without realising, I had the song written. She said, ‘That’s a good lyric, Dad, you should do something with it.’ And here we are.” 

The spontaneous spark produced a song that has now taken off with audiences far beyond Mayo. 

“It’s on all platforms – Spotify, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok – and it’s doing very well,” Gerry said. “The big thing is the young people have taken to it. That’s what’s driving it.” 

For Carney, Aghamore – Ceart go Leor reflects a shift in Ireland’s emigrant story. 

“The ‘Paddy’ era was very, very sad. But I think that era is over now because the poor old Paddys aren’t there anymore. The new guys going over are smarter. And the man in this song did good. He came back to look at the village, to buy a house, but there was none, so he had to go back to America to make more money. That’s just how it flowed when I was writing.” 

Gerry has been surprised by the wider response to the song. 

“I knew if it worked in Aghamore, it would work. But now I’m getting messages from Wexford, Cork, down south, the UK and America. Many a song was written with a townland in mind – Spancil Hill, The Fields of Athenry... This one too, is crossing borders.” 

The Bekan man has always been known for the quality of his craft, both as a songwriter and a singer. Hits like Food on the Table, The Cottage By the Sea and Going Forward Looking Back have cemented his reputation, while his breakthrough ballad Paddy remains his most remembered song to date. But with Aghamore – Ceart go Leor, Carney feels he has struck a different note. 

“The era of the fast song is here – not the slow anymore. No emotion. Just rhythm. Bang. That’s what people want.” 

Amongst those who guided him early in his career was the late Pete St John, writer of The Fields of Athenry. St John gave him one piece of advice he has never forgotten: “Write a big chorus. They won’t remember the rest of the song. Write a big chorus. He was right every time.” 

A video for Aghamore – Ceart go Leor was filmed recently in Kilkelly and Aghamore, adding a strong visual connection to the story behind the lyrics. With concerts, recording projects, and even a return to the stage in Tommy Marren’s hit play The Three Hail Marys lined up, it’s a busy time for the Bekan songwriter. But for now, it’s his newest song that has people talking – and dancing.