Finbarr Donnelly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Finbarr Donnelly |
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Donnelly in the late 1980s
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Finbarr Donnelly |
| Born | 25 April 1962 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Died | 18 June 1989 (aged 27) Hyde Park, London |
| Genres |
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| Occupation(s) | vocalist |
| Years active | 1978–1989 |
| Labels | Reekus Records Abstract Sounds Kabuki Records Creation Records Setanta Records |
| Associated acts | Nun Attax, Five Go Down to the Sea?, Beethoven |
Finbarr Donnelly (born 25 April 1962 – died 18 June 1989) was a singer and songwriter from Northern Ireland. He moved to Cork city when he was young. He is best known as the singer for the band Five Go Down to the Sea?. This band was also known as Nun Attax and later as Beethoven.
Finbarr was famous for his amazing stage presence and unique, imaginative lyrics. He and his band had a huge impact on many Irish musicians who came after them. Mark McAvoy, who wrote a book called "Cork Rock", said that Finbarr Donnelly was probably the most important musician and songwriter in the Cork music scene.
The band's most famous work was the EP Knot a Fish, released in 1983. Finbarr's career reached another high point in June 1989. His EP Him Goolie Goolie Man, Dem was named "Single of the Week" by the music magazine NME. Sadly, before he could enjoy this success, he drowned in an accident. This happened on 18 June 1989 in Hyde Park's Serpentine Pond. He was 27 years old.
Contents
Finbarr Donnelly's Music Journey
Early Days in Cork
Finbarr Donnelly moved from Belfast to The Glen, Cork, a suburb of Cork city, as a child. His family moved to avoid the conflict happening in Northern Ireland at the time. In 1978, he met guitarist Ricky Dineen. They became friends because they both loved UFOs. That same year, they started a band called Nun Attax.
The band quickly became popular in Cork. They played many live shows, especially at the Arcadia ballroom. After adding other musicians, including a cellist named Úna Ní Chanainn, they recorded their well-known EP Knot a Fish in 1983. Later that year, they moved to London. In 1984, they recorded another EP called The Glee Club.
Five Go Down to the Sea?
In 1985, the band met Alan McGee and producer Joe Foster. They were from Creation Records, a record label the band really admired. Alan McGee asked them to play several shows at his club night in Camden.
The Singing in Braille EP was released by Creation Records in August 1985. However, it only sold about 600 copies. People close to the band felt that a long-term partnership with Creation Records was unlikely.
Later Band: Beethoven
After Five Go Down to the Sea? broke up in 1985, Finbarr Donnelly and Ricky Dineen stayed in London. They played some shows together in 1986 using a drum machine. But they didn't get much interest from the music industry.
In 1988, the two friends formed a new band called Beethoven. The next year, they released the Him Goolie Goolie Man, Dem EP on Setanta Records. This record was a big success. The music critic Steven Wells from the NME magazine named it "Single of the Week".
Finbarr's Personality
Finbarr Donnelly had a very big personality. People described him as a magnetic and powerful performer. He could be quite intimidating because of his size. Keith O'Connell, a bandmate, said that Finbarr was fine during rehearsals. But he would often go off on his own, especially in London. His friends sometimes didn't know what he was doing.
In 2020, a music critic named Eoin Murray wrote about Finbarr's music. He said that even almost 40 years later, Finbarr's words still show a lot about the experiences of young people in Ireland. They show their frustration and strong determination.
His Death
Before the band could build on the success of their EP, Finbarr Donnelly died. On 18 June 1989, he accidentally drowned while swimming in Hyde Park's Serpentine Pond. He was 27 years old.
Ricky Dineen had been with him that day. They had planned to meet at a pub later. Ricky explained that it was a very hot day in London. Finbarr naturally decided to go for a swim in the pond. Lifeguards tried to get him out, but Finbarr, being playful, tried to swim under their boat. He didn't come back up. Ricky believes Finbarr might have gotten caught in plants under the water.
Ricky later said that it was surreal to go out with a friend and have them not come back. He said that even though they were 27, they were still young. Finbarr's death changed Ricky's whole life. They went from planning their future in England to suddenly flying back to Ireland. The band's planned second single was never released.
Discography
Nun Attax
- Kaught at the Kampus, various artists recorded at the Arcadia ballroom on 30 August 1980, Reekus Records, released 1981. Re-issued 2015
- Dave Fanning Radio Session, RTÉ2, 9 February 1981. Five tracks
Five Go Down to the Sea?
- Knot a Fish, Kabuki Records, 1983. EP
- 1st Fanning Session, RTÉ, 18 October November 1983. Five tracks
- The Glee Club, Abstract Sounds, 1984. EP
- 2nd Fanning Session, RTÉ2, 20 November 1984. Three tracks
- Singing in Braille, Creation Records, August 1985, EP
- Hiding from the Landlord, AllCity Records, 2020. Compilation album
Beethoven
- Him Goolie Goolie Man, Dem, Setanta Records, June 1989. EP
