Music legend Phil Coulter to visit Waterford City and unveil new single
Musician Phil Coulter
Songwriter and musician Phil Coulter is to visit Waterford to promote his new song, 'For Another King and Country'.
The song is inspired by the six Collins Brothers who were from Waterford and fought in WW1.
Mr Coulter is to visit Philip's Street at around 12.30pm on Thursday, July 17.
The six brothers lived on that laneway, though the house was demolished in the 1950s.
Today, a Blue Plaque (erected by the Waterford Civic Trust) is located on the street in their honour.
Mr Coulter said he wrote the song on the recommendation of his friend Ralf McTell, when he told him the story of the Collins Brothers.
During WW1, jobs were scarce in Ireland, and men were encouraged to join the British Army.
The leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party, John Redmond, promoted the idea that service would lead to Home Rule.
Six Collins brothers signed up. Four died in the battles of Flanders and the Somme, and another died later of his wounds.
The last brother, William, was also wounded, survived and came home.
But by the end of the war, things had changed.
"The political landscape had changed dramatically while he was gone. The 1916 Rebellion had captured the minds and hearts of the Irish people.
"Having been waved off to war as a hero, William returned as an unwelcome supporter of the English Crown, as a pariah in his own town," said Mr Coulter.
The song's vocals are performed by Cork folk-singer Roy Buckley, whose great-grandfather fought in WW1.
And Ryan Hennessy and Jim Rainford were part of the "creative process."
Mr Coulter said he was touched by the story and enjoyed the process of writing the song.
"Given the state of the world right now, I believe that a story that reminds us of the horrors and futility of war is timely," said Mr Coulter.
See Phil Coulter and Roy Buckley talk about the song below.
