Fifty years after Johnny McEvoy topped the charts with Muirsheen Durkin, he returned to that pivotal position last week when his recording of In My Father’s House did the same all over again for one of Ireland’s finest folk singers.

Johnny, who is currently on his Irish tour, was a latecomer to the song penned by Kevin Sheerin from Athlone, a member of the original and multi-talented Ray Lynam and The Hillbillies band.

“I was over doing a festival date in Cleveland, Ohio, around seven years ago when I heard Dermot Henry singing the song on stage. I must say, it caught my fancy at the time. Dermot is a great entertainer, very funny and witty, and has a great way with audiences.

“I forgot all about it until I started compiling songs for the new album. I checked it out on YouTube, where I heard PJ Murrihy’s version of the song.

“I was having a coffee with Darren Farrell (manager) and he said to me, after hearing my recording of it, that we should bring it out as a single. If I had known at the time that so many people had recorded this song, I probably would not have gone with that idea, but Darren was right and I am glad that I did.”

Apart from the single going to No 1, the album, Into The Cauldron, was at No 2 in the Irish charts last week. It features a host of great songs, including such favourites as Three Score and Ten, The Lusmagh Fields So Green, Nancy Spain, Run-around Angel, Bantry Girls Lament, Sammy’s Bar, Lincoln’s Army, In My Father’s House, and others.

“One of my new songs, Every Night I Dream Of Being A Cowboy, seems to be picking up a lot of airplay too and that will be the next single from the album,” says Johnny.

The album was produced by the acclaimed Bill Shanley and is the follow-up to The Stables Sessions. It is on the Trad Nua label, founded by Darren Farrell.

These times, Johnny is enjoying performing as good if not better that ever before.

“The great thing about it is that I don’t have to do it anymore. That allows one a great sense of freedom. I don’t have any worries about it and I can go and work when I feel like it.

“With that pressure off, I can’t wait to get going and getting out there on stages for the tour nights. It is great to be doing it at this level after five decades.

“I am already writing some new songs for the next album, which we plan to release next year, so I am very content with where I am at with my music these days.”

• His current tour, An Evening with Johnny McEvoy, sees him in Limerick University Hall on 4 March. For a full list of all other dates, visit tomkellypromotions.com CL