“I paint stories into songs. Songs recognize a simple truth that our lives are sometimes ‘not enough’ and we need to experience more than we could ever possibly live.”
PAUL KEALY
About
In 2022, ‘Heaven’s Garden’ a song penned by Paul surpassed 4 million views, downloads and plays on digital platforms.
Paul was recognized by the Nashville Songwriters Association (NSAI) in 2018 and was one of their featured writers in the April edition of EARS magazine.
In 2016 ‘Slab City’ a song penned by Paul was a Semi-Finalist in the ‘ISC International Songwriting Competition‘ (20,000 + entrants). Judges included Paul’s songwriting hero Tom Waits.
Paul was commissioned to write a new anthem for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, as part of the races 150th anniversary celebrations. The Irish Derby is one of the world’s most prestigious and iconic horse races which takes place annually at the Curragh Racecourse, Kildare. ‘The Wind of Glory‘ was performed on the day by world renowned Soprano Celine Byrne, the Millicent Singers and the Army No. 1 band. ‘The Wind of Glory’ was composed by one of Ireland’s most respected composers Lt Mark Armstrong.
The Emigrants Story a contemporary Irish ballad co-written with Ciáran Brennan continues to receive positive reviews and has been play listed throughout the world. It has also been featured in ‘The New York Times’, ‘The Irish Times’, ‘Hot Press’, ‘Boston Globe’, ‘Irish Echo’, ‘The Irish Star’ etc.
‘Fall Before You Fly‘ a song Paul penned, won the Lyrics category of the 2014 USA Songwriting Competition, the worlds leading songwriting competition (25,000 + entrants). Past winners of the competition have gone on to win Grammy’s and top the American Billboard charts, with Monte Lipman, President & CEO of Universal Records describing it as “A great place for talent to be found!”. Paul’s song ‘The Emigrants Story’ was also a finalist in the same competition.
‘Fall Before You Fly’ was previously a Semi-Finalist in the 2013 ‘ISC International Songwriting Competition‘ (20,000 + entrants) Judges included Avicii, Imagine Dragons, Keane, Garbage, Dido, Robert Smith (The Cure).
All five songs penned by Paul in the 2013 UK Songwriting Contest reached the finals in their respective categories, (From 20,000 entries). Including ‘Rainy Day Prayer’, ‘Last Of The Free’, ‘When You’re On Your Own’, ‘The Emigrants Story’, and ‘Fall Before You Fly’. One of the most prestigious Songwriting Contests in the world, judges included: Britney Spears musical director Simon Ellis, producer & arranger Richard Niles (Mariah Carey, Paul McCartney, Kylie Minogue, Take That) Sting’s producer Kipper Eldridge, producer Stuart Epps (Elton John, Robbie Williams, Oasis).
Nice things people say…
“This is a beautiful Irish folk song about leaving the Emerald Isle and heading to America leaving behind the great love of his life – Ireland”
NEW YORK TIMES. DAVID MIXNER. BEST SELLING AUTHOR, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST
“An important ballad which will shortly join those unforgettable songs of Ireland’s colonisation, abuse, unrest and ultimate recovery. A song that is truly of our time”
TOM DOWLING
“The UK Songwriting directors and judges include some of the world’s top Grammy, Emmy and BRIT Award winning producers who have worked closely with such artists as Sting, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, Oasis, Britney Spears and many others. There were more than 20,000 entries this year and we are pleased that Paul Kealy has achieved such impressive results with his songs in this year’s event and wish him every success in the future as a songwriter”
UK SONGWRITING COMPETITION
“When we played ‘Heaven’s Garden’ the response was huge. We’ve never had such a response to a song.”
KCLR RADIO
“I listened to the “Emigrants story” with a feeling of Pride and sadness. Up the Irish!!!”
JOHNNY LOGAN, SINGER / SONGWRITER.THREE TIMES EUROVISION WINNER
“Strong sentiments set to a strong tune. The lyrics clearly resonate”
FIACHRA TRENCH. SONGWRITER/COMPOSER/PRODUCER. PEARL HARBOUR, DIE HARD, THE BOXER. CO-WRITER “FAIRY TALE OF NEW YORK
“A ballad for modern Ireland”
THE IRISH TIMES
“One of the most talked about songs to come out of Ireland in recent years”
