Stellar support for song inspired by photos of local Covid victim's funeral

When the Enniskillen actor and other members of the Line of Duty cast, appeared on BBC television during the Covid-19 pandemic to ask the public to participate in the 'Asks for Masks' auction supporting the NHS, his childhood friend, and fellow Enniskillen-born singer/songwriter and recording artist, Davy Kettyles, was watching. Shortly afterwards, Davy contacted his old friend to enlist Adrian’s support in promoting a charity single of Davy’s new song, 'No Tears at Your Grave'. The song is a beautiful lament for the frontline workers who lost their lives in the “line of duty” during the Covid-19, crisis. The song’s title 'No Tears at Your Grave' acknowledges the pain of families and friends who have been unable to mourn together or attend their loved ones’ funerals due to lockdown restrictions.

Commenting on the release of his single, Davy said: “I am very proud of the song, Katherine Dunne, an amazingly talented Fermanagh woman, plays viola on it, and Ian Smith recorded her at his studio in Tempo. The fact that Adrian Dunbar got on board was brilliant."

Davy explained that the song was inspired by the poignant photographs taken of Ann Best's burial by John McVitty for The Impartial Reporter. Mrs. Best, from Derrylin was the first person to die in Fermanagh from Covid-19 and was buried at St. Ninnidh’s cemetery in Derrylin without her husband Tom Best watching over her. Mr. Best had been told to self-isolate at home for 14 days and was essentially banned from saying farewell to his soulmate. There was no funeral and only a handful of mourners watched from a distance as the coffin with a single white rose was lowered into the ground by gravediggers wearing gloves.

"The first thoughts about writing the song came to me when I saw the photographs of the funeral of Ann Best in Derrylin in late March. It’s was such a moving sight. Buried without her husband Tom, family, friends or neighbours. I just found it heart breaking. Although the lyrics of the song, highlight the sacrifice of the ‘essential’ workers who died in the line of duty, it’s a song that will resonate with everyone who has lost a friend or loved one during this period of time. It will also feature of my new album ‘The Great Red Wall’ to be released in August," shared Davy.

Endorsing the initiative, Adrian said: “This Sunday, July 5, is the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the NHS. As a national institution, it’s has never been more loved. When Davy Kettyles, my friend for almost fifty years, asked me to help promote his song ‘No Tears at Your Grave’ I was only to please to do so. The song commemorates the ‘Essential’ workers who have died in the line of duty during the Covid-19 crisis and acknowledges, not only the pain of their passing by their families and friends, but also the absence of the wake, family and communally gathering by the graveside due to Covid-19 restrictions. The fact that the song is been released on Sunday the 5th as a charity single for the NHS supporting ‘Ask for Masks’ group, makes it all the better.”

In an act of solidarity for their fellow workers and their families, the Health, Transport and Passenger Transport Branches of Unite the Union in Northern Ireland, are supporting the appeal and will be promoting it widely among the union’s million-plus membership throughout Ireland and Britain. Davy is also Unite’s Senior Regional Organiser in Ireland and was a former, Independent Socialist Councillor on Fermanagh District Councillor from 1989 until 2005.

Sales of the download single will be donated to ‘Asks For Masks’ to assist in the provision of essential protective equipment for those working in healthcare services. The download single will be released on July 4, the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the NHS, and will be available for purchase on all download platforms on that day.