Cathal Dunne
Encyclopedia
Cathal Dunne is an Irish singer. He is most famous for representing Ireland in the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Happy Man
". He has since gained a following as Cahal Dunne, performing traditional Irish songs in the United States
, where he now lives.
, Ireland, Dunne is the nephew of former Irish Prime Minister, Jack Lynch
. In 1974 he graduated from University College Cork and Montfort College of Performing Arts
after studying music. That same year he won the Castlebar Song Contest
with the song "Shalom". Two years later he represented Ireland at the Yamaha Music Festival
with his own composition "Lover, Not a Wife". Also in 1976 he released a single, "Bad Boy" as well as his first top ten hit in Ireland, "Danny". During these years he played with his backing band, Stateside (and later, The Formula), on the Irish club circuit.
" into the Irish National Song Contest. Competing against former Irish Eurovision entrants Tina Reynolds
and Red Hurley
and future winner Johnny Logan
, he won the contest easily with 36 points and thus gained the right to represent Ireland at that year's Eurovision Song Contest
. Performing in Jerusalem at the final in March, he achieved a respectable fifth place with 80 points. The single went on to sell well in Europe and reached No.3 in the Irish charts. The song was produced by Nicky Graham
.
in the United States. These tempted him to move there permanently and the following year, Dunne emigrated from Ireland. Since then, Dunne has made a name for himself as a singer of traditional Irish ballads and has released a number of albums. He has also performed comedy routines and show tunes.
with his wife, Kathleen and son, Ryan.
Happy Man
"Happy Man" was the Irish entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1979, performed in English by Cathal Dunne.The song is a moderately up-tempo number, in which Dunne contrasts his early despondency with the joy he feels now that he is with his lover. He sings, for example, that he now has "the sun...
". He has since gained a following as Cahal Dunne, performing traditional Irish songs in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where he now lives.
Background
Born in CorkCork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, Ireland, Dunne is the nephew of former Irish Prime Minister, Jack Lynch
Jack Lynch
John Mary "Jack" Lynch was the Taoiseach of Ireland, serving two terms in office; from 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979....
. In 1974 he graduated from University College Cork and Montfort College of Performing Arts
Montfort College of Performing Arts
Montfort College of Performing Arts is a stage school in Cork City in the Republic of Ireland; it specialises in vocal technique, mime, drama and musical theatre.-History:...
after studying music. That same year he won the Castlebar Song Contest
Castlebar Song Contest
The Castlebar Song Contest was an annual international song contest that was first staged in 1966 in Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland. The contest was initially organised by the Castlebar Chamber of Commerce as part of a drive to increase tourism to the town...
with the song "Shalom". Two years later he represented Ireland at the Yamaha Music Festival
Yamaha Music Festival
The World Popular Song Festival, also known as Yamaha Music Festival and unofficially as the "Oriental Eurovision", was an international song contest held in 1970-1989. It was organised by the Yamaha Music Foundation in Tokyo, Japan from 1970 until 1989...
with his own composition "Lover, Not a Wife". Also in 1976 he released a single, "Bad Boy" as well as his first top ten hit in Ireland, "Danny". During these years he played with his backing band, Stateside (and later, The Formula), on the Irish club circuit.
Eurovision
In 1979 he entered his own composition "Happy ManHappy Man
"Happy Man" was the Irish entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1979, performed in English by Cathal Dunne.The song is a moderately up-tempo number, in which Dunne contrasts his early despondency with the joy he feels now that he is with his lover. He sings, for example, that he now has "the sun...
" into the Irish National Song Contest. Competing against former Irish Eurovision entrants Tina Reynolds
Tina Reynolds
Tina Reynolds or simply Tina as she was known professionally, represented Ireland in the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest.Her song "Cross Your Heart" came seventh but was a number 1 hit in the Irish charts....
and Red Hurley
Red Hurley
Brian 'Red' Hurley is an entertainer from Ireland whose singing career has spanned several decades. He is principally known as a solo artist, although he does perform with various bands, the members of which are prone to change.-Personal life:...
and future winner Johnny Logan
Johnny Logan (singer)
Johnny Logan , is an Australian-born Irish singer and composer. He is regarded as "Mister Eurovision", having participated in the Eurovision Song Contest many times since the 1970s, and, since 1992, has been the most successful artist in Eurovision history.Logan has won the international contest on...
, he won the contest easily with 36 points and thus gained the right to represent Ireland at that year's Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
. Performing in Jerusalem at the final in March, he achieved a respectable fifth place with 80 points. The single went on to sell well in Europe and reached No.3 in the Irish charts. The song was produced by Nicky Graham
Nicky Graham
Nicky Graham is a musician, songwriter and music producer from the UK.He played keyboards for David Bowie throughout most of 1972 including on the Spiders from Mars tour, August and September 1972. He was A & R Manager at CBS Records UK during the 1980s when he signed The Clash...
.
Emigration
In February 1982 he played some concerts in MichiganMichigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
in the United States. These tempted him to move there permanently and the following year, Dunne emigrated from Ireland. Since then, Dunne has made a name for himself as a singer of traditional Irish ballads and has released a number of albums. He has also performed comedy routines and show tunes.
Personal life
Dunne now lives in Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
with his wife, Kathleen and son, Ryan.