12-year-old Fureys’ fan takes to stage with his musical heros

A 12-year-old from Ballynacally had one of his dreams come true recently when he was invited to sing along with his icons The Fureys.

 

Tim Hannon, a first-year pupil at St Flannan’s College in Ennis met the band before their recent concert in Glór on October 20 last.

He joined them on stage and sang Sweet Sixteen, making him one of the first fans to sing with the group.

“It was arranged in advance, I had sent them an email. I sang Sweet Sixteen. It is one of my favourite songs. I really enjoy folk music in general. They sing some lovely songs and are very passionate. I like both trad and folk music. I was delighted to sing with them. I was talking to them afterwards and got a photograph with them and they signed a t-shirt,” Tim said.

Speaking about the gig, George Furey said it is great to see people of Tim’s generation interested in folk music and looking to get involved.

“Tim is one of the first to sing with us, outside of our own family. It was great to have him come up to sing and it’s great to see that generation come along to the gigs,” George said.

Tim’s dream is to set up his own band in the future and travel the world. He is currently learning guitar to help him achieve his goal. He explained to The Clare Champion that his proposed band will be a mix of The Fureys and The Dubliners style music, with Clare Trad thrown in for good measure.

“We don’t have anyone to follow us, so it would be great to see a group coming along behind us doing their own original music, putting their own stamp on it. There is an awful lot of luck involved in it these days and I’d say if Tim really wants to get into it, he’ll need to dig the heels in and get as much help as he can. That’s what’s is needed these days and I wish him the best,” George concluded.

Tim comes from a very musical family. His mother Connie Hannon is a musician, while his aunt Pauline Gavin Callinan, his granddad John Gavin and his cousin Lilly Glynn are all All-Ireland champions.