MUSIC Pontoon’s Jamie wins Clancy Brothers Songwriting Competition

OVERJOYED?Singer/songwriter Jamie Mulrooney with Mary Clancy (wife of the late Paddy Clancy) after learning that he had won the 2015 competition.

Pontoon’s Jamie wins Clancy Brothers Songwriting Competition


Ciara Moynihan

Singer/songwriter Jamie Mulrooney from Pontoon has won the prestigious Clancy Brothers Songwriting Competition with his song ‘The Truth is Not Your Own’. The competition is viewed as the second-most competitive songwriting competition in the country behind the Eurovision.
Jamie’s song was selected from over 125 entries for the final, which took place on Sunday, May 31, in Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary. The three finalists performed their songs at a concert during the Clancy Brothers Festival of Music and Art 2015 in the beautiful Nano Nagle Theatre as part of a 15-minute set, after which the winner was announced by Mary Clancy (wife of the late Paddy Clancy).
“The song is a blend of American and Irish folk and takes on a simple melodic form with positive and uplifting lyrical content,” explains Jamie, who also plays the guitar and harmonica. “It’s great to be in the final three, and to win is a fantastic honour. I feel very lucky.”
Jamie, a full-time musician, also plays in two-piece band Doppler with Noel Gallagher of Brackwansha, Knockmore (percussion, vocals). Commenting on what the win means for the future, Jamie said: “It makes releasing an EP with Doppler a reality in January 2016. Hopefully we can write a few more songs like this in the coming months and keep progressing.” The band is planning to play across the north west of Connacht over the coming months.
The Clancy Brothers Songwriting Competition was judged by IMRO representatives as well as several members of the Clancy family. The competition is open to all musical genres and styles, and to all ages and nationalities. The songs are judged on melody, composition, originality and lyrics.