As Eurovision comes to a finale, the Newry and Mourne Museum reflects on the success Newry has had with the contest. Clodagh Rodgers who was the UK entrant in 1971 with the song “Jack in the Box.” Clodagh grew up in Warrenpoint and was a pupil at St Mary’s High School, Newry. Also appearing in 1971 concert representing Ireland was 19-year-old chemist’s assistant, Angela Farrell, from Portadown, who sang “One Day Love”. Angela’s singing talent had earlier been recognised in Newry, when she won top Junior Prize at the Killeavy “Spot the Star” Contest held in Cloghogue Parochial Hall in 1967. Clodagh would go on to claim fourth spot while Angela finished in eleventh place.
In 1986 Newry band, Luv Bug, became the first Northern group to represent the Republic of Ireland in Eurovision. As with Clodagh, the Luv Bug song, “You Can Count On Me”, ended up in fourth place. Coincidently Sophie Lennon, a young singer from Mayobridge who represented Ireland in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2022, also finished fourth. She is the first singer from Northern Ireland to represent the country in the junior edition of the contest.
Aside from performers, Newry also has several successes with songwriters, in 1998 Gerry Morgan’s “Is Always Over Now?” was sung by Dundalk hairdresser, Dawn Martin, while in 2001 Newry Ulsterbus worker, Pat Sheridan, penned the ballad “Without Your Love” which was performed by Gary O’Shaughnessy.
Aside from the Eurovision, there were other competitions that recognised the talent of the local area. One of Newry’s most famous singers was Rose-Marie Kane who was voted 'Best International Concert Star', 'National Singer Of The Year', and 'Most Popular Singer' at the International Music Awards. Originally from Cloughogue, Rose-Marie’s first hit single "When I Leave The World Behind” entered the charts on three consecutive occasions and had released nineteen albums during her career. She also sold out the London Palladium on multiple occasions as well as performing for Princess Diana. In addition, she had sell-out shows in Las Vegas and appeared in The Royal Variety Show.
Awarded the European Star Award in 1980, Susan McCann is considered another great talent of the area. Born in Forkhill, Susan is affectionately known as Ireland’s First Lady of Country and Irish Music. Her second release “Big Tom is still the King” took her to number one in the Irish Pop charts in May 1977 and remained in the top 20 for 11 weeks. Susan has also performed for both former US Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. She marked her fifty years of singing with a performance at the Grand Opera House in Belfast earlier this year.
Another award-winning singer from the area is Thomas Sands who is credited as the song writer for his solo work and his work as a member of the Sands Family band. In 2004 Sands received the award for 'Best Original Song' at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards for his song "There Were Roses." Presently the Sands family has three generations of singers performing all over the world.
