Gweedore, County Donegal singer, Seamus McGee, has more than a home-place in common with members of the internationally renowned group, Clannad. Seamus was taught to play piano and accordion by Leo Brennan, father of Enya of "Orinoco Flow" fame and Máire Brennan. His primary schoolteacher, Master Duggan, is the father of Noel and Pádraig, both of whom are members of Clannad.

Despite these early musical influences, however, Seamus had no intention of pursuing a full-time career in the music business. Instead, his sights were firmly fixed on joining his father’s successful building firm. In fact, it was with this in mind that Seamus decided to repeat his Leaving Certificate in an attempt to gain honours in drawing. Ironically, he was back at school only a month when he was approached by Cyril Curran, then the manager of The Nashville Showband, who offered him the position of lead vocalist with the band. Cyril had seen Seamus perform at "Hudie Beags" in Gweedore and was very impressed with the young singer's talent. Seamus decided to forego his studies and opted instead, to try his luck on the music circuit for the following three years, before he secured a job in GT Carpets in Gweedore.

For the next eight years, Seamus, in his capacity as technical manager, travelled the world and enjoyed every minute of it. Indeed, but for the fact that the factory closed down in 1979 due to the recession, he might never have gone back to the professional music circuit. After the closure of the factory, Seamus worked with his father for a few years, but, encouraged by his friends, he formed his own band in the mid-eighties. His debut EP release, featuring such numbers as "Donegal Shore" and "Tonight Mary Ann", received generous airplay and did much to establish his name on the national music scene. Since then, Seamus, as well as playing at all the major dance venues, at home and abroad, has appeared on many of the most popular television shows. In addition, he enjoyed Irish chart success with "Come Home Danny Boy" which, incidentally, was co-written by Seamus and his former sound operator, Danny O'Donnell.
Seamus has recently re-released a completely brand new recording of his big hit "Come Home Danny Boy" and it is available on C.D. on this site.

Seamus is a native Irish speaker and has recorded and written some beautiful Irish songs which will be available in the very near future. He is currently working on a project to help promote the Irish language and the culture of his native Gweedore.

Certainly, Seamus McGee is playing his part in helping to maintain the proud musical tradition of County Donegal.

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HOMEPLACE : Gweedore, County Donegal
BIRTHDAY : December 11
HEIGHT : 5'8"
COLOUR OF EYES : Blue
COLOUR OF HAIR : Brown
ABIDING CHILDHOOD MEMORY : Learning to play musical instruments with Noel Duggan (Clanad) in his own home, at the age of about ten; I have fond memories of those early days.
EARLY AMBITIONS : To be a building contractor.
FIRST REAL JOB : Lead Vocalist with The Nashville Showband.
EARLIEST RECORDING AND WHEN : Accidentally on Purpose EP, 1984
EARLY MUSICAL INFLUENCES : Jim Reeves
HIGHPOINT IN LIFE TO DATE : Receiving a standing ovation when I sang “Come Home Danny Boy” at the 1989 Peterborough Country Music Festival and meeting the Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern to present him with the recording of “A Better Ireland”.
UNFULFILLED AMBITION : To record one of my own songs in Nashville.
FAVOURITE IRISH ARTISTS : Brian Coll and Jimmy Buckley.
FAVOURITE INTERNATIONAL CELEBRITIES : Enya, Mel Tillis, Ricky Van Shelton, Tom Jones amongst many others.
FAVOURITE SPORT : Gaelic football but you can’t beat Manchester United.
FAVOURITE FILMS : “Mrs Doubtfire”!!!!!!
FAVOURITE SONG OR MUSICAL ITEM : “Green Green Grass of Home”
FAVOURITE NON-SHOWBUSINESS PASTIME : Spending time with my children: Ciara and Cian
WHO WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO MEET : David Beckham and, of course, Posh!!
THE QUALITY YOU MOST ADMIRE IN OTHERS : Personality and a sense of humour.

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STAR COMMENT : If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.