Singer Cuddy brings some festive cheer to care home

By Callum McGuigan

IRISH country music singer Shawn Cuddy has visited Tyrone to bring some festive cheer to residents at an Omagh nursing home.

The County Laois crooner was in Hillcrest Care Home in Omagh last Thursday, after completing a tour of the UK.

Accompanied by pianist Johnny ‘Fingers’ McHugh, he entertained the residents as a special celebration in the run-up to Christmas.

The duo played well-known songs such as ‘Fields of Athenry’ and ‘Pretty Little Girl From Omagh’, which had the residents singing along.

Evan Bogle, the home’s activities coordinator, knew Shawn personally from working with him during lockdown.

She said, “We are good friends and started working during lockdown in the care homes when the music industry dried up. He’s always been into his music and he’s very good for coming up.”

The coordinator added, “The residents are all happy and all smiling. It’s really upbeat and it’s something different than they would usually have on a regular basis.”