Cork milkman's first album is full of humour

“A Hundred Miles from Home” took a painstaking two years to create. “It was very hard”, said Con, “but I wanted it to be an inspiration to anyone else with Parkinson’s. The neurologists tell you that a bit of music and fun is very good for you, especially if you are suffering from depression, which can be a part of it.”

He added: “Thankfully I don’t suffer from the depression and I’m still very active, but your voice can also be affected by the Parkinson’s and I would be slightly hoarse.”

Runaway livestock

Con says his voice was better 20 years ago, but his sense of humour remains intact. All but one of the 14 tracks was written by the Corkman. The songs are funny for the most part and refer to local people and events such as weddings and escaped livestock.

Subject matter ranges from an encounter with a breathalyser to an infamous incident involving frozen turkey and very upset digestive systems! Con was quick to add: “I made dead sure I didn’t insult anyone though.”

Con worked for Dairygold before taking delieveries for Clona Dairies in 1988. The milkman’s first pressing of CDs have already sold out. Luckily they are on their way to shops in the Macroom area, retailing at €10 near where Con delivers milk in the Muskerry Gaeltacht.

Profits go to the Macroom Community Hospital and to St Colman’s House. Orders and donations may be sent to Con O’Riordan, Lissacreasig, Macroom. Cheques payable to Macroom Community Hospital.