Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin shares 'Summerhill' – inspired by Terence Wheelock and his family's campaign for justice

Following the release of 'Siren Spring' earlier this year, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin has returned with a new song, 'Summerhill'. Penned by Sammy Wheelock, the track tells the story of the late Terence Wheelock, and his family's ongoing campaign for justice.

“This song is about the tragic story of what happened to my younger brother Terence whilst he was in Garda custody after being wrongfully arrested and taken to Store Street Garda Station," says Sammy. "But as well as telling Terence’s story, I wrote it to honour the memory of my late brother Laurence Wheelock who began the Justice For Terence Wheelock campaign 19 years ago.

"Laurence led the campaign for Terence for years until he passed away with brain cancer in 2019," he continues. "Larry always turned up to lead from the front for our family and he was always front and centre of the planning and organising in the campaign, including marches, meeting points to destinations during all the protests that would come.”

The Justice for Terence Wheelock campaign continues to call for an independent public inquiry into the death of the 20-year-old Summerhill native.

Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin – an award-winning singer and musician, as well as a prominent socialist activist –  says he's "got to know Sammy quite well over the past six months or so", as they've "been knocking doors together to raise awareness of the campaign for justice for Terence."

"One of the days we were knocking, Sammy mentioned that he had written this song for Terence, showed me the lyrics and said it was meant to go to the tune of 'Spancil Hill'," Eoghan resumes. "I think it’s a really powerful song – it sounds like an old ballad but it perfectly encapsulates a modern day struggle: the anger and the pain endured by Terence’s family and friends and their determination to continue fighting for justice after so many years. I was really honoured when Sammy asked me to record it.”

Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin at the RTE Folk Awards at Vicar St, February 17. Copyright Hannah Bocian.

'Summerhill' was recorded and mixed by Chris Barry at Richmond Studios, and mastered by Ivan Jackman at Hellfire Studios. In addition to Eoghan on vocals and flute, the song features Ian Kinsella on guitar, Kaitlin Cullen-Verhauz on cello, Ben Strong on fiddle and banjo, and Conor Lyons on bodhrán.

All proceeds from the sale of the song on Bandcamp will go to the Irish Cancer Society, in honour of Terence's brother Laurence.

You can listen to and purchase 'Summerhill' below: