Mickey MacConnell

Mickey MacConnell
Born
Michael MacConnell

(1947-12-28)28 December 1947
Bellanaleck, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland
Died3 July 2025(2025-07-03) (aged 77)
Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
  • journalist
Years active1965–2000
Spouse
Maura
Websitemickeymacconnell.com

Michael MacConnell (28 December 1947 – 3 July 2025) was a Northern Irish musician and songwriter.

Life and career

MacConnell was born on 28 December 1947, in Bellanaleck near Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. He was the youngest member of a musical family. He worked in Dublin for Irish Press Group and, later, with The Irish Times.

MacConnell began writing songs very early in his life. In 1965, he wrote "Only Our Rivers Run Free" — a song that describes the natural world being damaged by the Irish border and that has been described by Stuart Bailie as "political but not hectoring". This encouraged him to seriously devote himself to writing music when he moved to Listowel, County Kerry, where he lived with his wife, Maura.

MacConnell released two albums. His first album, Peter Pan and Me, was issued in 1992. His second, Joined Up Writing, was released in 2000.

MacConnell died after a short illness in Listowel, on 3 July 2025, at the age of 77.

Discography

Name Year Label Type
Peter Pan And Me 1992 Spring Records Album
Joined Up Writing 2000 Spring Records
Elm Grove Music		 Album

See also

References

  1. ↑ De Breadún, Deaglán (13 July 2025). "Obituary: Mickey MacConnell, journalist, singer and songwriter who scored an cult online hit with The Ballad of Lidl & Aldi". Irish Independent. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  2. ↑ Loesberg, John, ed. Folksongs & Ballads Popular in Ireland, volume 3.
  3. ↑ Bailie, Stuart (2018). Trouble Songs. Belfast: Bloomfield. p. 165. ISBN 978-1-5272-2047-8.
  4. ↑ "WEST'S AWAKE: The Joys of Family". Irish Voice. 23 April 2002. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2025 – via HighBeam Research.
  5. ↑ "Mickey MacConnell, Peter Pan & Me". Rambles.net. 28 May 2005. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  6. ↑ Joy, Jack (4 July 2025). "Mickey MacConnell, writer of civil rights anthem 'Only Our Rivers Run Free', has died". Irish Independent. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  7. ↑ Breathnach, Joe (3 July 2025). "Mickey MacConnell ar shlí na fírinne" [Mickey MacConnell on the road to truth]. Extrag.ie [ga] (in Irish). Retrieved 7 July 2025.