Damien Dempsey is many things to many people: a people's poet, a champion of the dispossessed, and one of Ireland's most cherished musical voices. Live, he is both choir master and spirit-lifter, creating a sense of community that few artists can match.
On his 11th album, ‘Holywell’, Dempsey takes on the role of curator and custodian, gathering together songs that have shaped his life and deserve to be carried forward to future generations. Some are beloved classics that need little introduction, while others are hidden treasures, richly deserving of the spotlight he shines upon them.
As Dempsey himself explains:
“These are songs I heard as a child, sung by my elders in houses and pubs at singsongs. Some are centuries old, and many people don’t know them. For me, they’re like a holy well. When I sing them, they bring healing to my soul.”
He also speaks of the importance of passing these songs on:
“I have lots of young fans, and I know they’ll be learning and singing these songs now, and so this gold travels on into the future, carried in people’s hearts, minds and souls, gifted to others along the way.”
That sense of stewardship runs through every track. It is a beautiful collection, delivered with immense respect for its sources and enhanced by the sensitive, understated production of John Reynolds, whose contributions allow each song the space to breathe and resonate.
Dempsey bookends the album with two songs in Irish, ‘The Coilin’ and ‘Seoithín Seo-hó’, performances that reflect both his pride in the language and his commitment to preserving its rich musical tradition.
‘Mickey Dam’ arrives with a defiant swagger, propelled by Reynolds’ empathetic drumming. It’s easy to imagine this one becoming a live favourite among Dempsey’s devoted following.
‘A Pair of Brown Eyes’ receives a heartfelt and deeply affecting treatment. One of Shane MacGowan’s greatest compositions, it remains a timeless piece of songwriting, and Dempsey’s warm, measured vocal brings fresh emotional depth to its storytelling.
(Dempsey also contributes his version of ‘Sally MacLennane’ to the forthcoming Shane MacGowan tribute album ’20th Century Paddy’. Featuring an extraordinary cast including Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, U2, Moya Brennan and Primal Scream, it promises to be a fitting celebration of one of Ireland’s most influential songwriters.)
Aoife Scott has long demonstrated a gift for evocative songwriting, and Dempsey adds further gravitas to her stirring ‘Ireland’s Hour of Need’, delivering it with conviction and heartfelt sincerity.
‘Go, Move, Shift’ takes a gentler path than Christy Moore’s well-known interpretation and benefits greatly from the approach. Ewan MacColl’s powerful anthem, written in response to the forced evictions of the Traveller community, is here dedicated to the Palestinian people, underlining the song’s enduring relevance and universal message.
Each song on ‘Holywell’ carries its own history and emotional weight, and Dempsey remains as committed as ever to giving voice to those often unheard. His empathy, compassion and sense of justice run like a thread throughout the collection.
More than simply a tribute to the songs of his youth, ‘Holywell’ is a celebration of tradition, memory and community. It honours the music that shaped Dempsey while ensuring these stories and melodies continue their journey into the future.
Reportedly, more than 50 songs were recorded during the sessions, with just 12 making the final cut. On the strength of what is presented here, that leaves plenty of reason for optimism.
Volume 2 can’t come soon enough.