Offaly-based Ukrainian records single with legend of Irish music

A UKRAINIAN refugee living in Tullamore is singing with a choir which has recorded a single with the legend of Irish music, Phil Coulter.

A National Ukrainian Choir, brought together by local development companies across Ireland, has released a new version of Coulter’s single, ‘Steal Away’, in collaboration with the famous Derry composer.

The choir is made up of 40 people including singer Zhanna Sokolova from Tullamore who fled Ukraine because of the war.

The single, translated into Ukrainian, was launched at a special event in Saint Stephen’s Church, Dublin, this week where the choir it with Phil Coulter.

The song, originally written by Coulter 40 years ago, tells the story of a couple who escape from the Troubles and the writer has noted its parallels with the current situation facing Ukrainians today.

The song will be available for download via Spotify, and the road to the launch forms the subject of a documentary due to be released in coming months.

Commenting on his involvement in the initiative, Phil Coulter said: “When I wrote 'Steal Away' in 1983 the song was in response to the conflict that was happening in Northern Ireland at the time. I couldn’t have imagined that 40 years later it would have a connection to the situation facing Ukrainians.

“I have travelled all over the world with my music and have seen how it can cross borders and create friendships as a universal language. It has been an honour to work on the recording of this single. I hope that the initiative has provided a source of unity and has given the choir some semblance of hope for a brighter future.”

Louise Larkin, social inclusion team leader at Offaly Local Development Company, spoke of how important participating in the choir has been for the Tullamore-based choir member Zhanna: “This project has been really meaningful for Zhanna. Music and performance have been a massive part of her life in Ukraine, so to get the opportunity to perform again has had such an impact. The endeavours of this talented group just highlight their levels of resilience and courage.

“For Zhanna, it has included lots of early starts, train journeys and navigation of new areas, but the result is definitely worth it. Here in Offaly Local Development Company, we have no doubt that we’ll be hearing much more from these talented people and we wish them the very best of luck.”

Carol Baumann, CEO at the Irish Local Development Network said the network was delighted to have been able to co-ordinate the initiative with Offaly Local Development Company and local development companies across Ireland.

She said the role of the 49 local development companies (LDCs) is to create vibrant and inclusive communities where people feel supported and welcome.

She described music as a universal language which has been a great way for the participants make meaningful connections and express themselves through song.

“The single ‘Steal Away’ is just one positive outcome from this initiative, the most important outcome is the impact on the community in Offaly. Some of our national choir members have started their own choirs locally providing an opportunity for further integration.

“Along with initiatives like the Ukrainian National Choir, local development companies assist communities and disadvantaged individuals and groups with personal development and well-being; education and training; employment services; family supports and urban and rural development. Our LDCs are doing remarkable work in Offaly and across the country, and we hope to continue to help build inclusive communities where all members are valued and supported.”

The choir project was set up by Terry Hyland, CEO of Cavan County Local Development, Adeline O’Brien CEO of Empower, Fingal’s local development company and Michelle Mullally programme, impact and communications officer of ILDN. Coulter provided his expertise and guidance to the project over the past number of months.

The choir director, Yulia Boyko (pictured below with Zhanna), is originally from Ukraine and has been living in Co Cavan for the last 20 years. She now runs her own music school and was responsible for translating ‘Steal Away’ into Ukrainian.

Ms Boyko, Phil Coulter and the 40-strong choir have worked together since April, resulting in the translated version being recorded.

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is co-funded by the Irish Government, through the Department of Rural and Community Development, and the European Social Fund Plus under the Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme 2021 -2027.

SICAP provides funding to tackle poverty and social exclusion through local engagement and partnerships between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies.