Hospice Song (Father Gerry McArdle)

Buy the CD here: www.rosebrennan...
On Saturday 5th December, the community of Burren, in particular, and South Down in general, will remember and honour one of it’s finest sons, the late Father Gerry McArdle, who sadly left us on 11th June this year.
For Father Gerry will be the “spiritual “guest of honour at a special concert which will take place in St. Mary’s Social Club, Burren and at which, local singer/songwriter Rose Brennan will launch her CD “Hospice” with all proceeds from CD sales, the concert itself and related fundraising going to that most worthy of local causes, the Southern Area Hospice.
Although retired a number of years, Father Gerry was still a very busy priest up to the time of his illness and was of great assistance to local parishes, saying Mass, hearing Confession and attending the sick and the elderly. It was in the course of such pastoral work that he met Rose Brennan. Father Gerry attended her late uncle Jimmy in Daisy Hill and later was celebrant of Jimmy’s requiem Mass. They became good friends and Rose often visited Father Gerry in Burren and he, in turn enjoyed many nights of music and storytelling in the Brennan household in Kilfeighan.
As we all were, Rose was shocked and saddened at the news of Father Gerry’s illness and prognosis. She visited him in hospital, at home and in the Hospice, and was deeply moved by his faith, humility and courage. When asked by Father Gerry’s family to write a song for him, she was compelled to agree.
However, not only did Rose pen a lovely tribute, celebrating his life and work, she assembled the musicians who had worked with her on her brilliant album “Belle”,
recorded the song and presented to Father Gerry in CD form. He was delighted with it and proudly played it for everyone who visited him at home and during his final days in the Hospice.
Rose was very effected by her experience of visiting the Hospice and at the suggestion of her mother, Anne, she sought to express those feelings in song.
The result is “The Hospice”, the first track on the new CD. It is a beautiful and touching song, and in dealing with such serious subject matter, Rose has skilfully managed to avoid insensitivity on one hand and sentimentality on the other.
“The Hospice” and “Father Gerard” are two of the tracks on the 5 track CD, the others being “They Broke the Mould” and “Makes no Sense “ from Rose’s album “Belle” and a re-working of “Trust in your Angels” from her first album “String of Pearls”.
The CD, which has the full approval of the Southern Area Hospice, will be officially launched at the concert on Saturday 5th December.
Rose will be joined on stage by her team of Paul French (keyboards), Danny McGreevy (uilleann pipes and whistles), Aibhin Fitzpatrick (fiddle), James Brennan (vocals) and the legendary Steve Cooney (guitar).
Father Gerry’s nephew, Tony McArdle (guitar) and his great niece, Cara McConville (whistle), who both played on the actual recording of the track” Father Gerard” will also feature, along with guest artists, including Tommy Sands.
Sound will be provided and managed by Steve Fearnley, who recorded “Hospice” at his Narrow Water Studios, and who added percussion on “Father Gerard”.
The CD is a top class production, with graphic design by Alannah McQuaid and featuring the wonderful photography of Louis McNally.
www.rosebrennan...