Latest news with #MaryCoughlan
Belfast Telegraph
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Larne to serve up a Trad feast at the weekend
Sharon Shannon, Mary Coughlan and Frances Black due on festival stage Trad music lovers are in for a reel treat next weekend at Larne's Friends Goodwill Festival. And it's girl power to the fore with Sharon Shannon sharing the stage with fellow icons Mary Coughlan and Frances Black.
Belfast Telegraph
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Watch: Friends Goodwill Music Festival returns to Larne
Friends Goodwill Music Festival returns to Larne. A weekend of of live music, family entertainment, and cultural celebration returns to Larne on Saturday 7th - Sunday 8th June. The lineup includes Mary Coughlan, Frances Black, The 4 of Us and the Lee Hedley Blues Band.
Sunday World
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Irish music legend Mary Coughlan fears Kneecap will face uphill battle over stance on Gaza
Kneecap have caused controversy in America, where they shouted several anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian messages as well as shown images at the Coachella festival in California Mary Coughlan has lost out on US gigs over her views Irish music legend Mary Coughlan fears that given her experience with the American music industry over her stance on Gaza, Kneecap will face an uphill battle to work in the US. 'My agent was in negotiations with a company in America for me to do gigs this year, after I did some in 2021 and 2022, and they were talking about dates later this year and then they got an email saying they weren't interested anymore,' says Mary, who has been quite public in her denunciation of Israel and her support of Palestinians in Gaza. She adds: 'I have lots of friends and family in America, I'm almost afraid to go to the airport in case I'd be turned away. ' Kneecap have caused controversy in America, where they shouted several anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian messages as well as shown images at the Coachella festival in California. 'I'm not sure if their work visas for America have been revoked but I fear they might have problems with it, if my experience is anything to go by. I'm not sure if they'll get in because of their stance,' she believes. The 69-year-old Galwegian, who now lives in Co Wicklow and is famous for hits such as Ancient Rain and I'd Rather Go Blind, is fulsome in her support for Kneecap and their recent trouble with authorities. 'I have been following the whole story. It's outrageous, and they are being scapegoated,' she says, referencing how band member Liam O'Hanna (Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh/Mo Chara) is up on terrorism charges for waving a Hezbollah flag at a gig in England. 'They feel themselves that they [authorities] don't want them to appear at Glastonbury and they'd incite something. I think the whole thing about the terrorism charge, that they will be dropped from Glastonbury. 'The support for them there would be huge, if it's anything like what happened last night and the previous night in London it will be humongous.' She points out that the Northern Irish hip-hop trio have opened the eyes of the public to the situation in the Middle East. 'Their whole dialogue around the situation about occupied territories, it's just been so f**king interesting and illuminating, and I think it has educated a lot of people as to occupied territories and what they are, and they live in an occupied territory, that's the way they feel,' she reflects. Mary says she is a fan of the three rappers. 'I have not met them, but it would be my great pleasure to do so. I love their music. My son Eoin Coughlan and his friend Aza Hand mixed the sound for the film.' She believes the band are being made 'scapegoats' by British authorities. 'There's something going on there we don't know about that they were going to target Kneecap. Like Trump has done in America, targeting people and universities and changing the narrative,' she says. 'There are a lot of people of Irish descent. I think a lot of citizens in the UK feel disenfranchised by the British government, up until now. 'It seems to be changing and that is because of the actions of ordinary people, and all of the artists, producers, writers and musicians who have stood up for Palestine and have criticised the UK government and the American government for supporting Israel. 'That attitude of the UK government seems to be changing, so I don't know why they threw this out.' Mary has previously been critical of Bono and his lack of criticism of Israel (although he did come out with a statement this week that the war in Gaza should cease, and the hostages there be released). 'His silence on Kneecap is deafening. But I don't think Bono feels about anything but himself. He hasn't condemned Israel.' She says that the three rappers should continue on doing what they're doing. 'I don't have any advice for Kneecap, they are doing everything right. Unlike other people in the business; unlike others in the past – no names mentioned – they're doing it for the right reasons,' she insists. Mary Coughlan has lost out on US gigs over her views News in 90 Seconds - May 25th 2025
