24 year old Derek Ryan originally from Garryhill and a regular at our London get-togethers was a hugely popular winner of the Tipperary International Song Of Peace with his song ‘You Give Me Peace’ on 26th April.

Hundreds of entries were submitted from International and from home grown sources. The 10 entrants for this year’s final come from USA, the Netherlands, the UK, Northern Ireland and of course from various parts of Ireland including Carlow, Waterford, Cork and Athlone.

There was just two points separating the top three songs at the end, with an American entry being runner-up and Paddy Sharkey from Dublin taking the 3rd spot. Contest Secretary, Martin Quinn, presented Derek with the Tipperary Crystal Trophy and a cheque for €1,500. There were 10 finalists in the Contest with entries from Ireland, England, the Netherlands and the U.S.A. making it to the final.

Derek commented after his success:

I’ve been developing my songwriting ever since my early teens, so I was delighted to win the Tipperary international song of peace competition as it’s always nice for my songs to be acknowledged. I’ve just signed a publishing and production deal in Nashville for my very own solo album so the future’s looking bright, fingers crossed!

He is a keen singer / songwriter having had huge success to date with boy band D-Side. He moved to London 7 years ago to work full time in the music business and recently signed a production and publishing deal in Nashville, where he plans to relocate this summer. Coming from a very musical family he is son of Pat Ryan of Cúpla fame who will be playing at our 40th Annual dinner dance on October 11th.

Derek recently hit the headlines with his rendition of the new Carlow anthem ‘Red Yellow and Green’. I’m sure you will all join us in wishing him the best in his future career.

If you want to hear Derek singing ‘You give me Peace’ tune into www.myspace.com/derekryanmusic and sing along to the words below:

YOU GIVE ME PEACE

ITS BEEN A LONG DAY
AND I’VE DONE MY SHARE,
COME A LONG WAY,
BUT I’M ALMOST THERE

ALL THATS ON MY MIND
IS TO SEE YOUR FACE
HOLD YOUR HAND IN MINE
FEEL YOUR EMBRACE

YOU GIVE ME PEACE
IM NEVER GONNA LET YOU GO
YOU GIVE ME PEACE
AND THE LOVE THAT I NEED TO GROW
I TRAVEL THE WORLD TO GET TO YOUR DOOR
CAUSE YOUR EVERYTHING I’M LOOKING FOR
YOU GIVE ME STRENGTH TO BE WHO I WANNA BE
YOU GIVE ME PEACE

THERE ARE DOUBTS IN LIFE
THAT WE ALL GO THROUGH
BUT UNDER FADING LIGHTS
I CAN COUNT ON YOU
IF I WRONG OR RIGHT
YOU STAND BY ME
WHEN I NEED TO FLY
YOU’RE MY SANCTUARY

YOUR GLOWING SMILE,SAYS I’VE FINALLY ARRIVED
YOU GIVE ME STRENGTH TO BE WHO I WANNA BE
YOU GIVE ME PEACE.

MUSIC AND LYRICS COPYRIGHT OF DEREK RYAN