A south Armagh musician has joined forces with others from across Northern Ireland to record an infectious foot-stomping trad song with an unlikely chorus – and a potentially life-saving message.
Bodhrán player and guitarist Daragh McNulty, from Camlough, is helping bring haemochromatosis – the inherited iron overload condition known as the ‘Celtic Curse’ – to the airwaves.
Conceived and created by Belfast-based Genesis Advertising, the song, Hey Ho! Haemochromatosis, is performed by The Celtic Curse, a specially assembled group of accomplished traditional musicians fronted by Stephen Butler, who himself lives with the condition.
For Daragh, when initially drafted in to take part by a friend, he had no real knowledge or experience of haemochromatosis or why it was labelled the Celtic Curse.
But he told Armagh I : “I have since found out I’ve got a close family member with haemochromatosis and it sits well with me. I’m proud to have my name on it, where I’ve got a family member who has got it and it shines a light on the condition. I’m very pleased to be a part of it.
“A lot of people don’t know about it – most people don’t know about it.
“It’s trying to raise awareness that people will go and get checked out, because there’s people may have this and not realise. They may feel sluggish and they can’t pinpoint what it is, but it could be haemochromatosis.”
Featuring bodhrán, whistle, accordion, fiddle, guitar and banjo, through Daragh and his fellow musicians, the song turns one of medicine’s more difficult-to-pronounce words into an unforgettable chorus, encouraging listeners to recognise potential symptoms and understand their inherited risk.
Launching today (Monday) and running throughout the month of November, the campaign is the latest instalment of Genesis Advertising’s haemochromatosis awareness initiative, now in its third year, with support from partners including Haemochromatosis UK, Hagan Homes, SMR Research, The Soundhouse NI, Andy Young and generous media owners.
The campaign highlights an estimate that one in 10 people in Northern Ireland have genetic variants associated with an increased risk of iron overload.
Genesis Chief Executive Stephen Bogan, who was diagnosed with haemochromatosis in 2018, said: “When I was diagnosed, I couldn’t believe how little awareness there was of the condition, particularly here in Northern Ireland. Knowing what I know, and the position I’m in, I felt I had a duty to do something.
“We believe this song will save lives. The more people who hear it, the more people might recognise the condition, get checked and treated before serious damage occurs. So, we’re asking everyone to share the song, and broadcasters everywhere to play it. Share the song. You could save a life.”
Creative Director Darren Lyttle explained the thinking behind the unusual musical approach.
“For generations, traditional music has passed down our stories, culture and heritage,” he said. “But other things are passed down too, often without us knowing – like haemochromatosis. So, in the year of the Fleadh, what better way to raise awareness than through a traditional song? And we’ve ended up with a genuinely infectious, foot-stomping tune with the most unlikely chorus imaginable: ‘Hey Ho! Haemochromatosis!’ Our hope is that people will enjoy the song, sing along and share it, and in doing so, help spread a potentially lifesaving message.”
Research by SMR following the original awareness campaign found recognition of the word haemochromatosis rose from 22% of Northern Ireland adults in October 2023 to 48% in January 2024, although more than half still did not recognise the condition.
Filmed at Belfast’s Morning Star pub, the music video brings together traditional music, humour and a serious public-health message. The full song will be released for radio, digital audio and video, with a special 130-second UTV ad-break takeover scheduled for 11.15pm on Tuesday, November 3.
Broadcasters are being encouraged to play the full track, while the public is being invited to share it with friends and family.
Genetic haemochromatosis causes the body to absorb too much iron from food. Its association with Irish and Celtic ancestry has earned it the nickname ‘The Celtic Curse’.
Symptoms can include persistent fatigue, joint pain and brain fog. Without treatment, iron can accumulate in organs and tissues, potentially causing serious complications including liver cirrhosis, diabetes, heart disease and, in some cases, premature death.
Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent serious damage. Treatment usually involves regular blood removal, known as venesection. Some patients may also be eligible to donate blood. Anyone concerned about symptoms or family history should speak to their GP.
Welcoming the new campaign Neil Irwin, Philanthropy Manager at Haemochromatosis UK, said: “Haemochromatosis can cause serious harm when it goes undiagnosed, but early diagnosis and treatment can prevent that. We believe this imaginative campaign from Genesis Advertising has the potential to save lives by helping people recognise a condition they may never have heard of.
“We will share the song through our international network, reaching Irish communities in America, Australia and beyond. It’s a message for families here and for those whose roots are in Northern Ireland.”
Along with Daragh, the Celtic Curse features in its line-up Belfast man and lead vocalist Stephen Butler, alongside Kevin Mawdsley, also from Belfast, on banjo and whistle, and Sinead and Daniel McKenna, from Augher in County Tyrone, on fiddle and accordion respectively.
Stephen, who is also lead singer and manager of Thunder Rolls, The Garth Brooks Tribute Show and The Liberals Wedding Band, explained his own experience in living with the condition and why he was keen to get involved in the new song.
“Having haemochromatosis myself makes this much more than another performance,” he said. “I know first-hand how important it is to get diagnosed and treated.
“Since receiving treatment, I’ve been able to continue doing all the things I love – performing, coaching football and being an active dad to my two young children. I lead a busy life, often working nights in entertainment, and I’m grateful that treatment has allowed me to keep doing that.
“If singing the name of this condition helps someone remember it, recognise the symptoms or ask about their family history, that could make a real difference. We want people singing along, sharing the song and starting conversations. It really could help save lives.”
Listen to Hey Ho! Haemochromatosis by The Celtic Curse
The song will also be available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music from Monday, November 2.
Visit https://www.haemochromatosis.org.uk/ for further information about the condition, its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
