Exclusive Article: Between the Notes — The Heart of Mick Hanly
- Megan Routledge
- Jul 26
- 7 min read
Introduction by Megan Routledge
Some chapters in life unfold quietly, without fanfare — just a simple message, a melody remembered, or a book arriving in the post. That’s how this one began. When Mick Hanly, one of Ireland’s most treasured songwriters, reached out to Stevie Connor with a note and a copy of his memoir Wish Me Well, he couldn’t have known the ripple it would cause — not just in Stevie’s memory, but in the legacy he’s been quietly building for decades through music, radio, and storytelling.
In this excerpt from The Long Road to Flin Flon, we follow Stevie’s reflections on the kindred spirits who helped shape his journey — artists like Hanly, Davy Spillane, and Steafan Hannigan, whose music lit sparks in a young musician's heart in Scotland. It’s a deeply personal story, but one that echoes for anyone who’s ever found a piece of themselves in a song or felt the weight of a tune handed down like a secret between friends.
Stevie doesn’t just tell you what happened — he lets you feel it. From humble beginnings with Blues and Roots Radio to international recognition, and the founding of The Sound Cafe, this chapter is a love letter to music’s power to connect, inspire, and endure. It's a reminder that sometimes the most extraordinary things begin with a quiet hello — and that the road, no matter how long, is made beautiful by the people we meet along the way.
Some pretty cool things have happened to us at Blues & Roots Radio, and now The Sound Cafe over the years.
It’s hard to explain how music finds its way into your life — or how the people behind the songs seem to land right when you need them most. What started out as an idea in a spare room turned into a global platform that connected independent artists and audiences across borders, time zones, and genres. Along the way, we picked up some awards — national and international recognition — and somewhere in there, the team honoured me with Blues & Roots Radio’s own Unsung Hero Award. I never asked for it, and didn’t expect it, but I’ll admit… it meant the world. It was a moment to reflect. Not just on the work, but on the people it brought into my life.
One of those people was Mick Hanly.
I’ll never forget the day I opened an email from him. It was simple. He asked if I’d be interested in featuring his new album Homeland. I was stunned. Honoured. Mick Hanly — a giant of Irish music — reaching out directly. He didn’t go through a publicist or a label. It was just Mick, writing to say hello, and would we have a listen?
Absolutely, we would.
I immersed myself in Homeland straight away. It was intimate, stripped back, honest — music that had nothing to prove but everything to say. I’d always admired Mick’s songwriting. His name carried weight not just in Ireland but all the way to Nashville, where his song Past the Point of Rescue became a massive hit for Hal Ketchum. But to me, Mick’s own voice was where the real gold was. His phrasing, his delivery, the way he let the lyrics breathe — there was no ego, just truth.
We featured Homeland on Blues & Roots Radio, I wrote a review of the album with the care it deserved.
And to my great surprise and delight, Mick was genuinely touched. He sent me a copy of his memoir, Wish Me Well: Notes on My Sleeve, personally signed, with no fanfare. Just a quiet gesture of appreciation. I didn’t know it was coming — it just arrived at the door one day.
One of those moments where you just stop and think, This… this is what it’s all about.
Mick Hanly’s musical path reads like a roadmap through the heart of Irish folk — but it’s not just his résumé that’s impressive, it’s the soul behind it all that makes him stand out. Born in Limerick in 1949, Mick grew up steeped in the golden age of rock ’n’ roll, teaching himself guitar and making his live debut in primary school with “Livin’ Doll.” But it wasn’t long before he found his way to the folk tradition — drawn in by the haunting sound of Willie Clancy’s uilleann pipes and the compositional genius of Seán Ó Riada. You can hear those early influences threaded through everything he’s written since.
Mick’s career kicked off properly in the early '70s, forming the duo Monroe with Mícheál Ó Domhnaill. They were a class act — tight harmonies, powerful arrangements, and a shared love of both tradition and experimentation. The duo became part of a cultural exchange of sorts, touring in Brittany just as that region was undergoing its own folk revival. It was a vibrant, exciting time — a melting pot of Celtic influence, where Ireland and Brittany spoke to each other in reels, airs, and ballads. That collaboration eventually led to their classic album Celtic Folkweave, with help from Irish music royalty: Liam O’Flynn, Dónal Lunny, and Matt Molloy. That record’s still a benchmark — raw, elegant, and full of life.
After Monroe disbanded in 1975, Mick continued on the troubadour trail — back and forth between Brittany and Ireland — recording solo albums and joining forces with legends like Andy Irvine, Noel Hill, and Declan Sinnott. He was everywhere during the late '70s folk boom, not as a background figure, but as a central voice in shaping the scene. His stint with Moving Hearts from 1982 to 1985 showed another side to him — blending folk, rock, and jazz in ways that turned heads and moved feet.
But for all his collaborations and live performances, it was one song that truly cemented his place in the canon: “Past the Point of Rescue.” First recorded by Mary Black in 1988, and later turned into a Billboard-charting hit by Hal Ketchum in 1991, the song is a masterclass in emotional precision. I remember hearing it for the first time — that mix of weariness and hope wrapped in a melody that sticks with you long after it fades out. It’s the kind of song that makes other songwriters tip their hats and say, “That’s the one.”
Mick’s story isn’t just one of success — it’s one of staying true to his roots, of writing from a place of honesty and depth, and of lifting others up along the way. He’s a bridge between the old world and the new, and his work continues to inspire those of us who still believe that a song can carry truth further than any sermon or speech.
Reading the book was something else.
Mick doesn’t write like a man retelling his success stories. He writes like a survivor. A troubadour. A witness. He talks about his early life in Limerick, the brutality of Christian Brothers schooling, the early days on the road, the drink, the heartbreak, the highs and lows of making music on your own terms. He’s not afraid to show the cracks. That’s what makes the light in his stories shine all the brighter.
And the stories! Filling in for Christy Moore at the Baggot Inn with Moving Hearts, playing the bars of Brittany, finding himself in the Nashville songwriting machine, sharing songs with the likes of Dolores Keane… It’s a life lived fully, told with humility and sharp humour. Every page reminded me of why I fell in love with songs in the first place.
I never saw Mick live. That’s something I’ll always wish had happened. But through Homeland and Wish Me Well, I feel like I’ve sat across from him — heard the truth in his voice, the reflection in his lyrics. He’s the kind of artist that reminds you what matters: the stories, the honesty, the connection. No smoke. No mirrors.
That connection took me back to when I was just a young musician, still finding my feet, soaking up the sounds of traditional and contemporary Irish music. Artists like Mick, and players like Davy Spillane and Steafan Hannigan were heroes to me. Davy and Steafan, in particular, were the reason I picked up the Irish whistle in the first place. I was captivated by the sound — its soul, its yearning — and I knew I had to try to make that music myself. They lit the spark.
And that spark led to everything else.
(Side note: I have another chapter dedicated to Steáfán and his extraordinary musical family. I've been blessed to spend time in their company on many occasions. But more on that later...)
Stevie meeting Steafan, one of his musical inspirations, with Anne, Steafan Hannigan and Bodhran maker Glenn Wray
You see, the founding of Blues & Roots Radio, and then The Sound Cafe, was never about numbers or status. It was always about moments like that. When an artist you've admired from afar reaches out, and it becomes something real. When the music finds a way of weaving your lives together, even if just briefly.
Mick Hanly, to me, is one of those artists who never needed the spotlight to shine. He just needed a guitar, a melody, and a reason to sing. His work reminds me of why we do this — why we listen, why we write, why we care.
And now, as I walk The Long Road To Flin Flon, I carry all of these memories with me — moments of serendipity, unexpected friendships, and songs that became signposts. I think about artists like Mick, kindred spirits who’ve inspired me in ways I couldn’t have imagined back when all this began.
It’s been a beautiful journey. And it’s not over yet.
Go raibh míle maith agat as an mbronntanas, a Mhick – ciallaíonn sé an domhan dom.
A thousand thanks for the gift, Mick – it means the world to me.
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Stevie Connor, a Scottish-born polymath of the music scene, is renowned for his versatility across various domains within the industry. Initially destined for football, Stevie's heart found its true calling in music. His multifaceted journey has seen him excel as a musician, composer, recording artist, journalist, and internet radio pioneer.
In 2012, Stevie laid the foundation for Blues and Roots Radio, an online platform that quickly became a global stage for blues, roots, folk, Americana, and Celtic music. His visionary leadership propelled the platform to international acclaim. Not content with just one venture, Stevie expanded his influence in 2020 by founding The Sound Cafe Magazine, a multilingual platform dedicated to artist interviews, album reviews, and music news.
Stevie's impact extends beyond these platforms. His discerning ear and industry acumen have presented opportunities to be selected as a juror for national awards such as the JUNO Awards, the Canadian Folk Music Awards, and the Maple Blues Awards. Through his tireless efforts, he has earned a solid reputation within the music community, garnering respect from peers and artists alike.
Despite his extensive responsibilities, Stevie remains deeply connected to his roots, both musically and geographically. He continues to contribute to the vibrant tapestry of the music world, ensuring his influence resonates far beyond any single platform. Stevie's enduring passion and commitment to music make him a true luminary in the industry.
Stevie is a verified journalist on the global PR platform, Muck Rack.
