Onoir
Paisley Town Hall, 21/9/25
Onoir
I came upon Onoir online two years ago when they posted a video of themselves singing “Only Our Rivers Run Free” set in the beautiful Donegal countryside with a river running by. I then began to follow them online.
Onoir are four young men, from Donegal, each a performer/musician/singer. All of them sing and, in addition, Deane Connaghan plays keyboard and flute, Declan Gaughan and Diarmaid McGee play guitar, and Tom McHugh plays drums. They came together at the time of the Covid lockdown, maybe the only good thing to come out of that time. They were accompanied in Paisley by Damian McGeehan on fiddle and Mark Molloy on bass guitar, banjo and bouzouki.
I bought my ticket for this concert not long after seeing them at Oran Mor in Glasgow last November. I hesitated to make the journey through Paisley’s dreaded one-way system but arrived safely, though a bit late. However, I was so glad I had gone. This show was even better than last November. The group sang lots of favourite Irish songs - ‘Sweet Sixteen’, ‘The Homes of Donegal’, ‘The Town I Loved So Well’, ‘The Auld Triangle’, ending with ‘The Parting Glass’. My particular favourites were the Eric Bogle classic ‘The Green Fields of France’ and ‘Home to Donegal’. The whole audience were engaged in singing ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’, a Paisley choir, led by Diarmaid, raising the roof of the newly refurbished town hall. We were also treated to Declan, the shy one, singing ‘Sonny’, beautifully, and Deane, the shorn one, belting out ‘Midnight Special’. I hope they continue to expand their repertoire.
Diarmaid is the MC of the concerts, a job he does brilliantly and with such good humour. He is so obviously enjoying himself. The band’s delight in being there comes across to the audience, who in turn are very appreciative – such a happy vibe. Their friendship and respect for each other is also apparent.
Since last Sunday I have been looking on YouTube and have found more recordings of Onoir as a group and individually. I think Diarmaid is the most prolific with covers of Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson, Glen Hansard, Elvis, and The Hollies. Tom also covers a Bruce Springsteen song and Paul Simon’s ‘The Boxer’. I’ve always been very protective of my favourite singers and their songs: I don’t even like Johnny Cash’s versions of Kris Kristofferson’s songs, much preferring the man himself. But I’m very happy with all the covers that the band perform.
They brought out their CD ‘Onoir’ in 2024, and I hope they find time to bring out another one soon. Meanwhile fans can enjoy their Live Facebook gigs on Wednesdays. I hope some day to see them live in Donegal – a great trip to lift the spirits!
Onoir means honour, dignity, honesty, integrity, magnanimity, esteem, respect, reverence. All of these words fit this lovely group of young men. Slainte Onoir; lang may yer lum reek.
You can find them at www.onoirmusic.com and on Facebook.
