Wedding bells will soon ring out for two wellknown Irish country stars. Shaun Loughrey will marry Carrie Benn at a ceremony in Enniskillen on September 20. What makes this rather special is the fact that both were born and raised in England, Manchester and London respectively, and both have chosen the island of their hearts in which to make their new home.

Shaun’s parents, Johnny and Mary, were from Tyrone and Mayo. Johnny carved out a major name for himself on the UK scene before cracking the Irish scene in the last decade of his life. He died at the young age of 59 eight years ago and his passing was a huge loss to country music. Johnny Loughrey from Newtownstewart was regarded as a class act and he commanded enormous respect on the country circuit.

Carrie, who along with her sister Leanne are known as The Benn Sisters, comes from a family steeped in music. Her dad Liam, a native of Milltown Malbay in Clare, played the Irish circuit in the London region for many years. Her mother Ann is the daughter of a Kerry father and Fermanagh mother. Shaun and Carrie’s son, Liam John, named after the two grandfathers, was born some weeks ago.

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These are exciting times for Shaun whose brand new album, Keep Me In Your Prayers, was launched this week at the Auld Lammas Fair in Ballycastle. It was recorded and produced by Martin Cleary and Wayne Thorose in Ballyforan, Co Roscommon.

“There are 12 songs on the new album and I am very pleased with how it has turned out,” says Shaun. “The title track was composed by young Derek Ryan. He is such a talented writer and performer. Mary from Co Tyrone is a song written by Seamus McGlone from Omagh who plays with Ceili Time along with his brother Enda.

‘‘My father was the first to record The Black Sheepand I have put it on the album. Dad loved this song and I have given it a new treatment. An Accordion Started To Play is an Isla Grant song. Until You Have Walked in My Shoes (composed by the late Teresa O’Donnell from Suncroft, Co Kildare) is a song I have always liked and it tells a great story.

“I have loved The Boston Burglar since childhood days. I always thought Johnny McEvoy wrote that song but I see it goes back well over a century. I have included a song written by Ron Walton called The Old Tree of Love. Another song that I have taken up-tempo is Knocklayde Mountain, previously recorded by Brenda Mulgrew and TJ Stewart.”

Shaun also operates his own music store, Diamond Records, at 27/29 East Bridge Street, Enniskillen, well worth checking out if you are in the area.

It’s eight years since Shaun launched his country career in Bourke’s of Irishtown, Co Mayo (his mother’s home area), and it is clear he is energised from all that is happening for him now. He is thrilled with his new band which includes five musicians and himself. “We now feature steel guitar, harmonica, lead guitar, mandolin, drums, bass and keyboards.

“Gerard Butler has taken over management and is doing a good job securing dates and on the promotional front as well. Apart from our shows here in Ireland, we are doing a lot of concerts and dances in Scotland and England and that scene is very good to us. Things are pretty hectic for me just now.”

• See www.shaunloughrey.co.uk for more