Christmas charity single honours the memory of young journalist killed in hit-and-run

IN A TOUCHING tribute to the late Joe Drennan, Irish folk artist Emma Langford and journalist Molly Cantwell have come together to release a Christmas charity single.

The duo has covered Joni Mitchell's unconventional Christmas track, River, with all proceeds going to the Gay Community News (GCN), a vital resource for the LGBTQ+ community since 1988.

The collaboration is dedicated to the memory of Joe Drennan, a talented Limerick-based journalist and a prominent voice for the LGBTQ+ community. Joe tragically lost his life in a hit-and-run collision on October 13, 2023, leaving behind a void felt deeply by his family, friends, and colleagues.

Molly Cantwell, managing editor of Limerick Voice, expressed her admiration for her late friend, saying: "Joe was destined for greatness. His passion, talent, charisma, and absolute grá for his work were so evident in absolutely everything he did, and so incredibly enviable."

The choice of the song River was poignant, with Molly selecting it while walking by the Shannon River, a spot cherished by Joe. The project quickly gained support from various Limerick creatives, including Aaron Griffin, Nora Casey, Emer O’Flaherty, and Aoife Hennessy, who contributed their talents to the charity single.

Ms Cantwell shared gratitude for the overwhelming support from the Limerick creative community, emphasising the selflessness and generosity that characterised the collaborative effort. She stated: "Losing Joe has been incredibly difficult, but knowing that he has all of this support around him, even in his passing, is such a blessing."

The charity single will be exclusively available on Bandcamp until 2024, after which it will be accessible on all streaming platforms. This decision aims to maximise fundraising during the Christmas season of 2023.