Donegal musicians come together to release single for Cancer Care West

A group of Donegal musicians have come together to record a Christmas single with all proceeds going to Cancer Care West.

Written by Johnny Thomas and Peter Westwater, The Homeplace For Christmas is being launched in Donegal Town, with all proceeds going to Cancer Care West. The collective have come together under the name The Seisiún. The single is available at a cost of €4 in Eurosaver and in Paddy Ward’s music shop, both in Donegal Town. It can also be heard on Spotify. 

Peter Westwater told Donegal Live: “There is not one of us in the group who hasn’t been affected by cancer so this is very close to our hearts.

“We will be launching the CD on Friday evening on the Diamond at 5pm. Noel Cunningham will be there to say a few words too.”

Peter and the collective are grateful to everyone who has supported them in putting together the CD, which was recorded in Barnesmore.

He has a particular word of thanks for Eugene Gallen of Eurosaver, from whom they received a huge boost in terms of making the CD available for sale.

“Eugene paid upfront for 1,000 CDs to be made,” said Peter. “We are very grateful.”

The Homeplace For Christmas captures the sentiments of many Irish people living abroad, from the goldmines of Australia to Chicago, New York and Boston. 

It also reflects on the impact of emigration on those left at home. We meet ‘the Ma,’ who after ‘many lonely nights by the fireside’ is standing in anticipation at the half door, waiting to welcome the far flung family home for Christmas. 

It will no doubt resonate deeply with the diaspora, wherever they are in the world, and those whose loved ones are living abroad.