Turloughmore musician’s song is a worldwide hit

A song that is giving many solace

It’s been a whirlwind of a few weeks for a song titled My Last Goodbye by Turloughmore musician Sarah Hession.

The song was inspired by a letter read at a lady’s funeral in Clarinbridge where she was singing, and it’s become a Top 10 hit in Ireland and a social media sensation with over 15 million views worldwide.

Sarah, a daughter of Monica and Peter Hession, grew up in Lackagh in a house where her dad is an accordion player. While she trained as a music teacher in London, since returning to live near Craughwell, she works mostly singing at funerals and told The Tuam Herald that she only started songwriting in May.

“If it wasn’t for the encouragement of my neighbour in Coldwood, Craughwell, Johnny B. Broderick, who has written many songs for Sean and Dolores Keane, this one would never have been anything more than just another tune on social media.”

So says Sarah who is busy with her husband Fergal Walsh from Claregalway rearing their two children Lilly Mae (5) and Paidi (3).

Fergal likes music but doesn’t play. However, their daughter Lilly Mae is already playing piano and hasn’t much option really, according to Sarah, as they have five pianos in the house!

“It’s since last May that Johnny B has been insisting that I write and release the song and I did about six weeks ago at the end of June.”

“It’s my first official recording and happened after Johnny B introduced me to producer Gavin Murphy in Kildare. Since then, I’ve written enough songs for an album which we hope to go into the studio again to record,” added Sarah.

Obviously, the song has sad connotations as it’s derived from a letter written by a lady saying goodbye to her family, friends and loved ones, but it’s inspirational and uplifting too.

“Yeah, it’s uplifting in sentiment and seems to have reached out to millions who have been downloading it on social media and many of them have already contacted me,” mused Sarah.

“It’s been such a strange but beautiful experience that has taken me totally by surprise with no major media campaign management or record label there to exploit its potential in any way,” she added.

Now, from a quiet family life and playing music at funerals while also operating Sarah’s Singing School, Sarah has found herself with a worldwide hit.

After its release it went to the top of the Irish iTunes charts and is still in the charts alongside Pop and Country stars such as Taylor Swift, Ella Langley, Stella Lefty, Bronski Beat, Luke Combs and many others. It has reached the Top 5 in Australia and New Zealand, Top 20 in the UK, USA, Canada, Belgium, Denmark and the Philippines.

A few weeks ago, Sarah had about 1,000 followers on social media but now has over 120,000 followers. The concept of asking people not to be sad but asking them to smile and let the deceased go seems to resonate with a lot of people. Sarah has received thousands of messages from grieving people telling her that they have found solace in the song and want it played at their own funerals.

“Apart from providing music and songs at funerals I sing mostly old ballads at other events. I also sing some Country songs but Johnny B, who has been so vital in this success, tells me my voice is best suited for Folk and ballads and would not work with the powers that be in Nashville,” she laughed.