By Ismaila M.S.Naban
A former award-winning long-distance runner, Mr. Richard Mulligan, is now a notable Irish singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who is aspiring to be a Country music Star. He lived in Clontarf in Dublin for the last 30 years.
A native of County-Galway, Ireland where he played for the Under-16s football team, Richard was undoubtedly, one of the best distance runners of his time, in Ireland.
In an online interview Mansa Banko Online, the one-time Irish sporting star-turned-musical instrumentalist gave an insight into his child-adulthood; sporting activities; what motivated him to venture into country music; and why choosing his favourite instrument-the guitar. The artiste also elaborated on his songs and new album; and used the opportunity to send a message to his esteemed fans.
“Ever since I was a child, I had a great love for all styles of music: Irish trad, folk, ballads, blues, jazz, one of the best distance runners of his time.
“But I was really hooked after I heard Elvis Presley on our Old Radio when I was only about 7. That’s when the love affair really began. He was and is {still} hero.
“Yes, I love other singers but Elvis is it. I also used to make up songs as I was going along the country road and sing them outloud in the remoteness of where I grew up.
“I Play Tin Whistle, Fiddle, The Box, Harmonica and few other instruments that I can knock a tune out of, but I only started later on in life as sport took up my life in the early years,” he enunciated.
Mulligan had played Irish football in his youthful age, playing for his county-Galway, at Under-16 Level and at even more tender age. He started running at the age of 17 and quickly rose to international level; and ran for Ireland at World XCountry many times, European XCountry, West Athletic Chips, and Europa Cup on track, as he recounted.
“I’m also Irish Champion on road, XCountry, and Track. I have a World Silver Medal for Masters 10k Road Chips. I have been lucky enough to have won many races across America, Europe and to have ran for my country across the world,” the star athlete-turned-musician enthused. However, he admitted that failing to make it to the Olympic Games “is my only regret”.
Reasoning why he chose country music, the Irish argued that, “Country music is about life as I knew it, growing up on a farm with very little, and I suppose that is what attracts me to it most.
“Real people with real stories to tell, Cash, Haggart, Jennings, Vince Gill, the list goes on”. And, when Elvis does a country, need I say more? he rhetorically asked.
On the places he had performed, Mulligan disclosed that most of his “performances, before last year, were done in Nursing homes, small Bars or Pubs, or at private parties”.
But since the release of his first Album, there has been a demand for him to go on the road more; “a demand I have resisted until now, as I need time to plan things out”.
Recalling that he has performed for two thousand (2000) people in Galway a few months ago, along with some other Irish, the singer-songwriter believes, “this was magic and I went down very well. So, I’m really looking forward to more of this”.
“I get mail from all over the world now, Australia, NZ, South Africa, Europe, USA and Canada,” said Mulligan.
According to him, his music had been bought in 38 countries around the world, and also being played in many countries as well.
To him, it’s “a dream come true; it’s still only sinking in.” The challenge for this country singer now, is to try and get a band together, a Manager, and hit the road, as he told this medium.
Mulligan further informed: “I’m also ready to bring out my second Album called “Forgiveness”. The title song is about what happened to my natural mother. I was fostered from a Mother and Baby-home at 3 years of age to wonderful people.
“Some of my songs that I write are about this part of my life, and the rest are about country life or love. Just good old country songs. My music is more on the traditional country style.”
When asked what was his message to the many fans, Mulligan had this to say: “My message to fans is simple: live life to the full, be kind, honest, helpful to one another. And, I’m so honoured that they take the time to listen to my music and, if I can only bring a tiny fraction of happiness into anyone’s life, then it’s all worth-while.”
Most of Richard’s fans are from 30 years upwards, but he confirmed, “I have some much younger also. I have been singing in public for about 8 years, approximately”.
He singled out his great friend, Mr. Seamus Gaughan, as the person who had inspired him to record his first Album, last year-“I NEVER MET You”. “He [Gaughan] kept pushing me to record as he said he loved my voice,” said Country singer Mulligan.
He married Mrs. Margaret, and blessed with four children: Richard Jr., Eoin, Oisin (sons), and daughter Laura. They range in ages from 25 to 32 years. Saying they have all left home, the striving artiste reveals, that allows him “time now to follow my dream of being a country Star”.
Hear him further: “I will be 59 in April, and I hope my story inspires other people, my age, to dream as it’s never too late. Whatever happens from here, I don’t know, but my first Album went to No.1 on Irish iTunes Chart, and “I Never Met You” went to No.1 in the UK-most listened to songs for August of last year. I can’t ask for more than that.”
On why the guitar, he answered, “The guitar is my favourite instrument, simply because, I love playing it and I love singing as I play.”
On his future projects, Richard Mulligan said, “I would love to get to sing at the Grand Ole Opry- [a weekly American country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee]- perhaps performing one of my own songs. Who knows, as dreams can and do come true.”
He thanked the media for the interest and support, reasoning “because without your [media’s] help, it’s impossible to the spread music, so people know about it”.
Meantime, Mulligan’s new Album has just been released on iTunes, and he promised that it “will be on all other platforms very soon, for anyone who this is of interest to”.
Dropped at a time the world is battling with the deadly Covid-19, Richard told fans:”I really hope you enjoy and it {Album} takes your mind away from your troubles and worries for a little while.
“I have done something a little different on one of the songs, Immigrant Eyes, written by Guy Clark.This song pays tribute to immigrants to America. But I have put an Irish flavour to it as I wanted to pay a tribute to the millions of Irish who went to America and made a new life there. What wonderful and brave people they were.
“To all Irish Americans, I take my hat off to you. If I do another Album, I would like to pay tribute to the Irish who went to other parts of the world, England, Australia and so on.”
His new Album, titled “Forgiveness”-a tribute to his natural mother and the courage she had showed in her time of abuse during a dark period of history- has six (6) new songs on it, as Mulligan disclosed to his fans.
“This Old Farm”, Mulligan revealed, is also a tribute to his adoptive parents and his brother John and Happy Memories. He concluded with, “My best wishes to all, be safe and mindful of each other, and all will be fine.”
