Carmel Horan to launch new gospel album in Birr on Tuesday

The tragic death of a child inspired a new album of spiritual songs which is to be officially launched at Dooly"s Hotel in Birr on Tuesday next, June 2. Carmel Horan, from Banagher, said she decided to record her second CD "Have Courage I Hold You By Your Hand" after being moved by a couple who suffered the loss of their seven year old son. 'I was inspired to write the hymn "Have Courage I Hold You By Your Hand" for them, and I dedicate the release of this CD to them,' she told the Offaly Independent. That song is one of 13 gospel hymns on the new album, which will be launched with performances from an impressive line-up of artists on Tuesday next. The Sheerin family, Simon Casey, Tony Allen, Trina Moore, James Kilbane, Joe Rabbitte, The Guinans and others are all scheduled to perform at the charity event, which gets underway at 8pm on Tuesday. Tickets, priced at €10, will be on sale at the door, and all proceeds from the night will go towards Mother Village Orphanage in Medjugorje. Carmel visits Medjugorje regularly and said the effects of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995, which resulted in 100,000 deaths and 1.8 million refugees, are still very evident there today. She has been singing at the Emmanuel House Catholic prayer centre in Clonfert for a number of years, but the mother of two is a relative newcomer to the recording scene. Last year she released her first album, "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow", which raised money for Emmanuel House. Both that album and her new release were recorded at the Shed Studio in Athlone and were produced by Des Sheerin. In the weeks since the album was released, Carmel said she has been overwhelmed by the positive reaction it has received. 'There has been a huge response to it, and songs have been played on Midlands Radio 3, Shannonside, Galway Bay Fm and elsewhere. I"ve had emails from people in Canada, Kenya, New York and other parts of the world. It"s hard to believe the CD has made it to all of those places, but it has! 'People"s lives are being touched by the power of the gospel in these songs, and I know that none of this would be possible without the prayer that went into it,' she said. Carmel added that she wished to thank the local media, her family, friends and neighbours for all their support and assistance.