Joni Mitchell Christmas song in memory Laois man who died in Limerick

The late Laois student journalist Joe Drennan who lost his life in Limerick this year is set to be remembered in song this Christmas with all funds going to help a publication for the LGBTQ+ community. 

Irish folk artist Emma Langford and journalist Molly Cantwell have come together to release a Christmas charity single in memory of the Camross native.

The duo has covered Joni Mitchell's unconventional Christmas track, River, with all proceeds going to the Gay Community News (GCN).

A prominent advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, Joe was studying for a career in journalism before he tragically lost his life in a collision on October 13, 2023

Ms Cantwell is the managing editor of Limerick Voice. Joe was editor of the same student publication for a short time before his death. She expressed her admiration for her late friend.

"Joe was destined for greatness. His passion, talent, charisma, and absolute grá for his work were so evident in absolutely everything he did, and so incredibly enviable," she said.

Molly chose the song while walking by the River Shannon, a spot cherished by Joe. The project quickly gained support from various Limerick creatives, including Aaron Griffin, Nora Casey, Emer O’Flaherty, and Aoife Hennessy, who contributed their talents to the charity single.

Ms Cantwell shared gratitude for the overwhelming support from the Limerick creative community, emphasising the selflessness and generosity that characterized the collaborative effort. 

"Losing Joe has been incredibly difficult, but knowing that he has all of this support around him, even in his passing, is such a blessing," she said.

The charity single will be exclusively available on Bandcamp until 2024, after which it will be accessible on all streaming platforms. It is hoped that releasing it at Christmas will boost the fundraising effort for Gay Community News.