Four decades down the line, it has been a long journey for the lads who grew up in Ballyfermot, Dublin. They still love every minute they play at home and overseas.
George is the youngest of the Furey brothers and he now resides in the midlands, close to the borders of Offaly and Laois. He loves life in the country, the big open spaces and the freedom that country people always afford to neighbours.
Though born and raised in Ballyfermot, George has always felt drawn to the country. Even as young lads the Fureys did some summer work on a farm a few miles outside Tallaght, towards the Dublin mountains. They had the best of spuds, cabbage and carrots to bring home with them to Ballyfermot.
“You could say we were organic before the term was invented, we always loved the bacon and cabbage and spuds,” quips George.
There is a lovely sense of earthiness when you chat to the Fureys, a feeling that you have known these folks all your life. They have been blessed with the gift of communication, handed down from their late parents, Ted and Nora. Songs and music were also an intimate part of that tradition.
“We were born into the tradition,” say George. “Even as very young lads, music was central to our lives. Like all youngsters, at some time or another, we were influenced to some degree by the prevailing pop music of the day. It was part of growing up.
“I was the youngest boy in a band of four at the age of just 11. We called ourselves The Tartans. We played bingo halls during the intervals and we all could play some instruments. My favourite song of the time was It Takes A Worried Man To Sing A Worried Song.
“I fondly recall the times we played in the Moycullen Club in Ballyfermot. We used to get free fish and chips and that was such a treat for us. There must have been a strong Galway connection with the building of Ballyfermot, which celebrates 70 years this year. There is Carna Road, Claddagh Road, Spiddal Road, Koilmore Road and others.”
A lifetime in the music world has yielded a mountain of memories for The Fureys. The brothers share that lovely quality of gratitude for those who helped them along life’s journey. The role in which Terry Wogan lent support to them in the UK has been well documented over the years.
“Terry was a gentleman. We became great friends. He was instrumental in making Sweet Sixteen a huge hit for us in the UK. He played a pivotal role in our success across the Irish Sea. He featured our songs on such a regular basis on his hugely popular show on BBC Radio 2. I played golf with him on numerous occasions over the years.”
A hugely endearing aspect of the Fureys is their rapport and appreciation with so many others from different genres of the music scene.
“At the end of the day, it is a relatively small pool of entertainers here in Ireland and all our paths cross at some time or another,” says George.
“I have got to know many from the country music scene here at home. I have a special affection for the older singers, many of whom have been part of our generation. They include Margo, Philomena Begley, Big Tom and all that generation. They have had huge success and the most loyal of followers. Joe Dolan was another wonderful character. They all brought great happiness to so many people down the years.”
George and his brother, Eddie, are joined on their current Irish tour by three musicians who are an integral part of these special nights.
“We have Camillus Hiney from Ballycumber in Offaly, Pio Ryan from near Lorrha in Co Tipperary and Tony Murray from Athlone who was with the Daniel O’Donnell Band for many years. They fit in brilliantly with our music and we are so delighted to have them on board.”
George is a great believer in songs with good lyrics: “I love songs with true stories and those that connect with the heart. I have huge respect for songwriters and we always try and credit the songwriters on our shows. Phil Coulter wrote The Old Man about our Da. That song is very special to us.”
The Fureys have never lost touch with their roots: “During the Dublin Trad Fest, we love playing the pubs. Those are the people who got us where we are. We have a great manager in Joe McCadden, one of the really good people in this business. He is part of the family at this stage.
“We start a 52-date tour of the UK on 9 March. We have done 22 tours of Australia and New Zealand and numerous tours in America.
“We love going on stage. We never look at it as work. We are always at home on stage, singing our songs, playing the music and telling the stories.” CL
• The Fureys are in concert in Nenagh Arts Centre on 16 Feb; Market Place Theatre, Armagh, 17 Feb; Roe Valley Centre, Limavady, 23 Feb; Carrickdale Hotel, Dundalk, 24 Feb, and Charleville Park Hotel on 25 Feb. Their new album, The Fureys 40 Years On, is out.
Four decades down the line, it has been a long journey for the lads who grew up in Ballyfermot, Dublin. They still love every minute they play at home and overseas.
George is the youngest of the Furey brothers and he now resides in the midlands, close to the borders of Offaly and Laois. He loves life in the country, the big open spaces and the freedom that country people always afford to neighbours.
Though born and raised in Ballyfermot, George has always felt drawn to the country. Even as young lads the Fureys did some summer work on a farm a few miles outside Tallaght, towards the Dublin mountains. They had the best of spuds, cabbage and carrots to bring home with them to Ballyfermot.
“You could say we were organic before the term was invented, we always loved the bacon and cabbage and spuds,” quips George.
There is a lovely sense of earthiness when you chat to the Fureys, a feeling that you have known these folks all your life. They have been blessed with the gift of communication, handed down from their late parents, Ted and Nora. Songs and music were also an intimate part of that tradition.
“We were born into the tradition,” say George. “Even as very young lads, music was central to our lives. Like all youngsters, at some time or another, we were influenced to some degree by the prevailing pop music of the day. It was part of growing up.
“I was the youngest boy in a band of four at the age of just 11. We called ourselves The Tartans. We played bingo halls during the intervals and we all could play some instruments. My favourite song of the time was It Takes A Worried Man To Sing A Worried Song.
“I fondly recall the times we played in the Moycullen Club in Ballyfermot. We used to get free fish and chips and that was such a treat for us. There must have been a strong Galway connection with the building of Ballyfermot, which celebrates 70 years this year. There is Carna Road, Claddagh Road, Spiddal Road, Koilmore Road and others.”
A lifetime in the music world has yielded a mountain of memories for The Fureys. The brothers share that lovely quality of gratitude for those who helped them along life’s journey. The role in which Terry Wogan lent support to them in the UK has been well documented over the years.
“Terry was a gentleman. We became great friends. He was instrumental in making Sweet Sixteen a huge hit for us in the UK. He played a pivotal role in our success across the Irish Sea. He featured our songs on such a regular basis on his hugely popular show on BBC Radio 2. I played golf with him on numerous occasions over the years.”
A hugely endearing aspect of the Fureys is their rapport and appreciation with so many others from different genres of the music scene.
“At the end of the day, it is a relatively small pool of entertainers here in Ireland and all our paths cross at some time or another,” says George.
“I have got to know many from the country music scene here at home. I have a special affection for the older singers, many of whom have been part of our generation. They include Margo, Philomena Begley, Big Tom and all that generation. They have had huge success and the most loyal of followers. Joe Dolan was another wonderful character. They all brought great happiness to so many people down the years.”
George and his brother, Eddie, are joined on their current Irish tour by three musicians who are an integral part of these special nights.
“We have Camillus Hiney from Ballycumber in Offaly, Pio Ryan from near Lorrha in Co Tipperary and Tony Murray from Athlone who was with the Daniel O’Donnell Band for many years. They fit in brilliantly with our music and we are so delighted to have them on board.”
George is a great believer in songs with good lyrics: “I love songs with true stories and those that connect with the heart. I have huge respect for songwriters and we always try and credit the songwriters on our shows. Phil Coulter wrote The Old Man about our Da. That song is very special to us.”
The Fureys have never lost touch with their roots: “During the Dublin Trad Fest, we love playing the pubs. Those are the people who got us where we are. We have a great manager in Joe McCadden, one of the really good people in this business. He is part of the family at this stage.
“We start a 52-date tour of the UK on 9 March. We have done 22 tours of Australia and New Zealand and numerous tours in America.
“We love going on stage. We never look at it as work. We are always at home on stage, singing our songs, playing the music and telling the stories.” CL
• The Fureys are in concert in Nenagh Arts Centre on 16 Feb; Market Place Theatre, Armagh, 17 Feb; Roe Valley Centre, Limavady, 23 Feb; Carrickdale Hotel, Dundalk, 24 Feb, and Charleville Park Hotel on 25 Feb. Their new album, The Fureys 40 Years On, is out. 
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