"In memoriam: Album Dedicated to Children Lost on the Roadways"
In a heartfelt tribute, Derry musician Eamonn Karran has created an album titled 'Our Song' to honour children and young people who have tragically lost their lives on Irish and Northern Irish roads. The album, recorded in Eamonn's repurposed attic studio at home, features 15 cover songs, each chosen by families bereaved by road deaths across both regions.
Eamonn, who lost his 18-year-old son Noah in a road crash in Claudy last year, found solace in this project as part of his healing process. The album's production has been a labour of love, with each track holding a special meaning connected to a lost loved one.
One of the family members who selected a song for the album is Marie O'Brien, who chose Beyonce's "I Was Here" in memory of her 23-year-old daughter, Caoimhe, who died on the A5 between Derry and Tyrone in 2016. Caoimhe was known for thinking she was the second Beyonce and leaving her mark everywhere she went. Her song, "Forever Young," performed by Belfast artist John Garrity, was played at her funeral.
'Our Song' is a project of Road Victim Support Northern Ireland-Donegal, a family-led charity founded in December 2024. The charity provides emotional and practical support to individuals and families affected by road traffic collisions. They have volunteers available across Northern Ireland, one in each council area, who are fully trained in safeTALK, Mental Health First Aid, and Listening Support.
The charity's chairperson, Debbie Mullan, lost her son Keelan in a crash in Limavady, Co Derry. She and Eamonn Karran, who serves as the charity's Treasurer and Vice-Chairperson respectively, are driven by a desire to ensure no one "has to face this kind of loss alone."
The charity also advocates for improved road safety and support systems for bereaved families. All proceeds from 'Our Song' will go toward Road Victim Support Northern Ireland-Donegal. For those in need of support, Road Victim Support Northern Ireland-Donegal can be contacted by phone at 07774 857058 or via email at [email protected].
In addition to the powerful performances by local Northern Irish artists, the album serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost and the healing power of music. The album is now available for purchase, with all proceeds going toward supporting families affected by road tragedies.
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