Hi Friend,

Something dawned on me recently.

When I first set out to write a song in every county in Ireland, I thought I knew what the project was about.

I imagined it would be a good excuse to explore parts of this island I'd never properly seen, to challenge myself as a songwriter, and perhaps end up with thirty-two new songs.

But somewhere along the journey, something shifted.

I don't think I'm trying to write songs about places.

I think I'm trying to capture songs from the land.

That probably sounds a little odd, but it's the best way I can describe what's been happening.

When Shirley and I arrive in a county, we don't arrive with an agenda or a message we're trying to squeeze into a song. We spend time there. We walk. We sit by lakes and rivers. We listen to the birds. We chat to people. We notice the pace of life.

Then I open the Psalms.

Those ancient songs—the prayer book of the early Celtic Church—have shaped the imagination of this island for well over a thousand years.

I read them, sing them, listen to them, and simply pay attention to the phrases that seem to linger.

Somehow, somewhere between the landscape and those ancient words, a song idea begins to develop.

I don't really feel like I'm inventing it.

More often than not, it feels like I'm discovering it.

Perhaps that's why no two counties have sounded alike.

Donegal gave me one melody.

Derry another.

Tyrone pulled in a completely different direction.

Leitrim has already started whispering something else entirely.

Each place seems to carry its own rhythm, its own atmosphere, its own questions.

My job is simply to listen carefully enough to catch them.

Maybe that's what songwriting has always been.

Not forcing ideas onto a blank page.

But paying attention.

Thank you for travelling this road with us.

It's a privilege to know that these songs don't disappear into the ether—that there are people scattered around the world who are following along, encouraging us, praying for us, downloading the songs and reminding us that this strange little adventure is worth continuing.

The next county song is already beginning to take shape.

Check it out here - https://youtu.be/d4YQ5CGqftQ

Grace and peace,

Cheers - Andy

P.S. If you know someone who loves Ireland, songwriting, or simply enjoys seeing where creativity comes from, I'd love it if you'd forward this email to them. The journey is just getting started, and there's plenty of room for more fellow travellers.