SURREY%20ROCKS%20-%20APRIL%202022 - Flipbook - Page 58
FEATURES
SONGS FROM HOME
He honours Ireland’s musical history with his latest
album Songs From Home, for which he hand-picked 12
tracks from his beloved homeland, drawing from the
wealth of Ireland’s talent. “I was lucky to be able to
release two albums during the pandemic; Twenty Twenty
and Songs From Home,” he explains.
Toasting his love for Irish music, as well as its continued
significance in his life, the latter intimate album boasts
brilliant reworks, as well as an original single from the
celebrated Irish star.
Ronan has circled back to his roots with the album
which authentically captures and represents his life
in music. Celebrating traditional poetry and folklore
alongside contemporary pieces, Songs From Home forms
the ultimate soundtrack to Ronan’s personal story. The
international Irish artist masterfully weaves unheard tales
of his youth with Ireland’s considerable musical heritage.
A LOCKDOWN BABY
Having recently moved from Barnes in SW London,
‘home’ nowadays for Ronan is in the rolling hills of the
idyllic English countryside, where he and his model/TV
producer wife Storm have built their dream sustainable
home just outside the capital city.
Now a doting dad to five children (Ronan has three
children with first wife, Yvonne), his and Storm’s second
child, baby Coco, came along just four days into the
first lockdown. “It was nice to be able to concentrate on
being there at home. I’ve never spent that much time in
one place in my life; I left home at 16, so to be there for
every nappy change, bathtime, bedtime, every waking
morning… it was gorgeous, really lovely… very special.”
How did he look after his mental health during the
first drawn-out lockdown? “Being around the ones you
love makes life okay, much easier… My wife and children
communicating and going through our daily lives
together… we came through it.”
Did the family man find himself being particularly
creative? “I did write a lot, but to be honest, I was so
busy I didn’t stop… doing my radio show from home,
promoting my new album through Zoom interviews and
Instagram… I think that was good for the head, too.”
And music, of course, can help massively with mental
health. “Very much...” agrees the aimable musician. “It’s
an outlet… a great way of dealing with your emotions,
speaking out about how you’re feeling… really important
for mental health.”
TOP OF THE SHOPS
Right on key, Ronan’s a fan of playing a part in local life,
“Storm and I believe in supporting the community. I think
it’s important to know the people you’re living around,
and to be proud of, and feel part of, the community… It’s
especially important at times like this to keep in contact
with people nextdoor, people close to you, and make sure
58 SURREYROCKS | ISSUE 08
everyone’s doing okay.”
He hits all the right notes
on the high street, too.
“Wherever we live, we
ALWAYS shop locally… local
grocery stores, butcher’s…”
TEEING OFF IN
SURREY…
Before Barnes, Ronan
resided in Esher, where
life
in
Surrey
proved
another huge hit for the
singer.
“It’s
fabulous…
a beautiful leafy suburb,
gorgeous countryside, great
restaurants, golf courses,
lovely people… a great
place to live!”
With more courses than
you can swing a club at,
Surrey serves as a golfer’s
paradise for fans of the
sport, including singing
sensation Ronan. “I LOVE
playing golf, and I LOVE
Wentworth, which is one
of my favourite courses.
There are so many fantastic
courses in the county….
Sunningdale, private golf
courses… it’s a pleasure to
play them. They’re some of
the best in the UK, if not
Europe.”
The
former
Boyzone
singer enjoys a good green
round with ex-bandmate
Keith Duffy, and reveals
taking clubs on the road is
par for the course. “Keith
and I get out there every now and then, and ALWAYS
bring our golf bags on tour!” He also has a golf buddy
in Brian McFadden, formerly of Westlife fame - the
band Ronan co-managed – and who has now formed a
supergroup with Keith. Ronan and Brian have also played
with a golfing legend. “We played with Gary Player at
Wentworth for charity.”
So, what does Ronan miss most about his boyband
days? “The lads… the camaraderie on the road, the
friendship, you know... I do miss the boys...”
TOP OF RONAN’S CHARTS
Before buying an abode in Barnes, the broadcaster had
already found the area a source of inspiration for his music.
“There was a studio in Barnes called The Olympic (now
the cinema), and I wrote and recorded a lot of albums
