Release Info/credits
Discovery of Grandfathers Old Song Inspires Donegal Singer’s Latest Release ‘The Grass Widow’
Grandfather’s song rouses wild tale of emigration
Donegal, Ireland, 13 December 2025: Ardara schoolteacher and historian Paddy McGill passed away in 1982, but his legacy continues as his grandson, JP Kennedy, releases a new track linked directly to his work. Upon the unearthing of an old songbook, a composition about the death of a local young man struck a chord with Kennedy.
JP says, “I was looking for something to tie in with my song about emigration, but was stirred by a piece entitled ‘Bás Chonaill Mhic a Ghoill’, meaning ‘The Death of Conall McGill’, and thought it would make a good intro to the song. I swapped the meaning of death in this case into what was referred to as an American Wake — a departure which was often a one-way trip with no guarantee of return.
“My uncle, Lochlann McGill, was able to match the song to an old tape recording sung by his father, my grandfather. I revised the melody to suit what then becomes an upbeat song about the emigrant leaving behind Inishkeel Island in the late 19th century and climbing aboard The Grass Widow for a new life on the American frontier.”
Taken from the upcoming album Road to Jerome, ‘The Grass Widow’ is a melodic, acoustic guitar– and fiddle-based earworm. Its friendly folk vibe and upbeat pace give it a natural radio- and playlist-friendly quality.
The song is produced by fellow Irish artist Aisling Jarvis, a member of electronic brother-sister duo BANYAH. Aisling is a touring member of Celtic music legends Clannad and the daughter of lead singer Moya Brennan.
The video was shot on a freezing winter’s morning on Narin Beach by Ciaran Dorrian, with Inishkeel Island prominent in the background.
The overall feel of the song and video alike is in keeping with JP Kennedy’s charismatic live performances that mix a rock sensibility with Celtic storytelling. His playful rebel persona has proven a hit with wide-ranging audiences, including supporting Australian Celtic rockers The Rumjacks and Canadian Celts The Mahones on tour dates.
‘The Grass Widow’ is available on all popular music platforms including JP Kennedy’s channels on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon.
Watch the music video on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wb8iFluMCNo
About JP Kennedy
JP Kennedy is a self-written artist that masterfully blends his punk rock spirit with influences from the opposing genres of country folk and grunge.
Hailing from Ardara, County Donegal, he is a music graduate of Ballyfermot Rock School, Dublin and the University of Popular Music and Music Business in Mannheim, Germany.
Previously the lead singer of a German based rock band, he turned solo, busking on the streets of the historic city of Heidelberg before securing gigs at local festivals and bars in and around Frankfurt and Mannheim – where he ran the popular music showcase night ‘Kill the Radio’.
His playful rebel persona proved a hit with wide-ranging audiences, and is carried over into his music videos, which he considers as much a part of his artistry as the songs.
Now, inspired by tales of the Wild West from his saloon-owning emigrant great grandfather, his natural talent as a songwriter comes into the spotlight. JP Kennedy transports us to a by-gone era in a distant land on his debut solo album ‘Road to Jerome’ due for release in 2026.
Song/album purchase link
https://open.spotify.com/track/6a2au9y2HVaL6GSymewHHd
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