Sean McCarthy Shanagolden (original recording)

Sean McCarthy (1923-1990), a native of Finuge, County Kerry, Ireland, was an Irish songwriter. He was born one of 10 children, on 5 July 1923. He penned some of Ireland's favourite ballads including "Step It Out Mary", "Red Haired Mary" "In Shame Love, In Shame", "Some Say The Devil Is Dead", "John O'Halloran" and "Highland Paddy".
This song remains his masterpiece - recorded by many others but never matched. Sean only ever released one extraordinary LP - The Wandering Man in 1970, his compositions better known as being recorded by other artists. In 1973 a collection of his songs and poems was published in Listowel, Co. Kerry.
Sean's sister Peggy died in childbirth in 1946. Local clergy refused her a Christian funeral and burial in consecrated ground as her baby was conceived out of wedlock, his ballad, In Shame Love, In Shame, captures the family’s heartache.