The Ring Of Gullion

I have almost finished the writing of, what will be my next album, The Ring Of Gullion. My family originates from Mullaghbawn in Northern Ireland which lies at the foot of Slieve Gullion, one of the Mourne Mountains. The album will chart the epic journey of my family's journey to Witton Park in County Durham in 1854 to work in the Iron and Steel Industry. When Bolckow and Vaughan found ironstone on Eston Hills they relocated their works to Middlesbrough in the 1880's and my family moved with them.

Each song tells a story and is musically representative to the era of the story. It will be my most epic album to date and I am really looking forward to begin recording it later this year.

Slieve Gullion

The picture below shows three generation of Mackins at the summit of Slieve Gullion. Beneath the stones that you see is and ancienct Neolithic passage tomb that is older than the pyramids. The legends and historical stories of this area could fill an album itself. I have thoroughly enjoyed the research process into many of the songs that will appear on the album. I will of course explore them further within my blog.