Rising Laois star Barry Deegan is one to keep an eye on
Barry Deegan
THE Irish Music Scene is buzzing with new talent and Laois’s very own Barry Deegan is a rising star to keep an eye on.
Hailing from the village of Cullohill in Co Laois, Barry has been releasing his own original music since 2024, gigging galore and the most exciting part is his musical career has only just begun.
On 18 July, Barry released his most recent track called . This song epitomises the emotional journey of leaving home and the enduring hope to someday return.
“It’s one I hoped would relate to people who have left home or making their journey back”, says the 26-year-old singer/songwriter.
The idea for the track sprung into Barry’s mind when he envisioned what his near future would look like as he’s moving to Australia at the end of this month. “The writing process came about when simply thinking about my future and the fact I’m leaving for Australia with my partner Katleyn”, Barry admits.
“This time around I’m finally leaving but it’s almost written as a letter to my mother that no matter where we go in this life, or as I say in the song ‘wherever you go the wind always takes you, but over your shoulder she’ll always be waiting’ basically that we always find our way back home eventually.” Featuring strong Irish musical elements, such as the banjo, is a deep reflection on how it feels leaving Ireland. Daragh Daly is the genius behind bringing this track to life.
He continued: “The song was brought to my friend and top-tier producer Daragh Daly who really made this song come alive adding beautiful banjo and other Irish elements to the song”.
follows Barry’s 2024 hit called
“It’s been on my mind a long time and this song is almost a follow up from my hit single where I highlight the reasons why I’m staying in Ireland”, he added.
Barry’s debut performance at the Cullohill Folly Festival was a night he’ll remember forever where he was fortunate to open for Irish band ‘The Scratch’ “One of my favourite gigs to date has to my debut performance at the Cullohill Folly Festival opening for The Scratch! I played a short gig but I had the crowd chanting my name and wanting more. There was about a thousand people and right at the very front was a sea of my friends along with family and local people singing along to not only cover songs but my recently released single at the time -one last summer. It was a special night and one I’ll never forget. It truly kickstarted my career!” Barry recalls his earliest musical memory 15-years-ago when he played in a band called ‘The Tae Bags’ among his primary school peers “including David Doheny, Johnny Doyle and Eoin o Sullivan with Adela Mealy (Barry’s guitar teacher in school).
“Only recently I received the original song a second time named bubble gum” Barry laughs.
Although Barry performed in ‘The Tae Bags’ in primary school, he spent most of his childhood hiding this musical gift. “I hid it for so many years. Growing up as a kid being involved in so many sports and not surrounded by many friends who played music, I never grew the confidence to sing in public for years,” Barry admits. “However, I had guitar lessons in primary school with Adela Mealy who really drilled in the foundations of the basic principles of playing guitar and mostly enjoying it! I’ve been bedroom singing for years!” Barry is delighted to announce that he is releasing his latest song **Backroads***’ next month whilst he leaves to embark on this next chapter of his life.
“I have a brand-new song coming very soon called and Daragh Daly is also featured on the song! I cannot wait to get it out”, says Barry.
Barry looks ahead at what he has brewing in his musical pipeline: “I plan on releasing a few more singles and eventually gearing up for an album release with the idea of beginning my journey for my first live show”.
If you are interested in following along on Barry Deegan’s musical journey you can check out his socials, his Spotify is @Barrydeegan and his Instagram is @Barrydeeganmusic. Despite not knowing his exact return date to Ireland, Barry sums up his departure perfectly: "One thing for sure, I’ll find my way home one day!”
