West Cork-based singer releases new single

Skibbereen-based musician Paudy H has released his new single, ‘Honky Tonk Two Steppin’ Beer Drinking Saturday Night’.

Written by Jon Filbert, one of the UK’s most prolific country music songwriters, the song is the latest track to which Paudy H has put his own unique twist.

Just prior to Christmas, he also recorded his own version of the iconic Shakin’ Stevens song ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’, performed with pupils from Dromclough NS in Bantry.

Speaking to The Echo at the time, he said: “We put a lot of work in to it and the kids sang their hearts out.

“Everyone came together and the kids did an amazing job. I am immensely proud of the song and so proud of them. There has been a lovely reaction. It has a different vibe to it and a different feel to it, compared to the original.”

Speaking to The Echo this week about his newly released track, Paudy H said: “I got around to recording the song. Jon writes more for the American market. What I tried to do with this song is incorporate the Irish country music in to it as well, so it has an American/Celtic Irish sound. It is an upbeat, high-energy song.”

As to what the rest of 2025 has in store for Paudy H and what he plans to do, he said: “Just keep doing what I am doing: Recording, gigging.

“I do have an album release coming out at the end of the year and I am hoping to do a launch on that, too.

“I also am looking in to forming a band, so I can go around promoting that album, and stuff like that, down the line.

“There is a few more singles coming out throughout the year. I have the ‘Irish Rover’ coming out in March, on St Patrick’s weekend.

“So, there is loads more to come and it is going to be a big enough year for recording. I am looking forward to seeing what happens and I hope the reaction is good with the music I am putting out there.”