Jerry commemorates WWI Christmas Truce with new EP

A NORTH Clare man has just released an EP to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the Christmas Truce, which took place in World War I. Jerry Lynch from Kilfenora recorded Requiem For a Soldier, which he co-produced with Don Mullan to honour the remarkable 1914 event.
“I decided to make this recording to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the Christmas Truce in 1914 which is coming up this Christmas. I had heard a few songs I felt would make a nice themed package for this occasion and I think anyone who has heard the album has been impressed. The two duets with Sarah Dolan, and Liam Lawton’s The Cloud’s Veil combined with my own song make a lovely mixture. John Condon is a very moving song which reminds us of all the men who were only boys and suffered in this awful war,” Jerry told The Clare Champion.
Jerry is from a well-known family in North Clare, many of whom are involved in the Kilfenora Céilí Band. His brother, John, is the leader and brother, Pat, plays with the group as well. Jerry and his cousin Cathy McCormack sang with the band at the St Patrick’s Day Céilí in St Stephens Green, Dublin on a number of occasions and in the National Concert Hall.
Over the years, Jerry has performed with the Ennistymon Choral Society, was runner-up in the Thomas Moore Singer of the Year competition and has appeared with Foster and Allen, Tommy Fleming, Mary Duff and more in the UK. He is best known for his recording of A Silent Night Christmas 1914 by Cormac MacConnell which he released in 1997 and to date, has sold over 30,000 copies. Jerry has re-recorded this song for the CD. Sarah Dolan from Limerick duets on two songs and the recording was done by Dave Keary of Red Door Productions in Limerick.
The 12-page booklet that accompanies the CD includes the lyrics for each of the songs as well as information about the recording.
The proceeds from the CD are going to two well-known charities, The Little Prince Hospital in Brazil, of which legendary footballer Pelé is a patron and TLC 4 CF, a Munster organisation raising funds to provide better facilities at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick for Cystic Fibrosis patients.
“The Little Prince Hospital in Brazil, I understand, does research into CF, as well as being a general hospital. I actually think those soldiers would take great comfort from the fact that their sacrifice is still benefitting good causes 95 years on. I had intended doing something for CF for a while as I have two cousins that I know of with children who suffer from this disease. I think it is a disgrace that these parents are faced with the task of raising such a huge amount of money to provide facilities which should be there already at Ennis or Limerick regional hospitals,” Jerry explained.
Jerry recently presented a copy of his recording to Pelé in Ballymun during a recent visit by the Brazilian superstar to Ireland.
“I was introduced to Don Mullan in March and he informed me that he was the Europe Ambassador for The Little Prince Hospital of which Pelé is a patron. He said he was arranging a visit by Pelé to Ireland in November and asked if I could do something to support this hospital, so I decided to split the proceeds,” Jerry outlined.
“I was then invited to Ballymun to make a presentation of the album to Pelé. This was a most impressive and exciting event to be involved in. It was very moving to hear Pelé express his desire that all children would be cared for properly. He told us he believes God blessed him with so many goals in his career so that he can now use them to raise money for children’s welfare in his Goals For Life Campaign,” Jerry recalled.
The CD is available in Custy’s Music Shop, Ennis, and also at the Record Rack in Ennis and online at www.jerry-lynch.com.