Sharon Shannon feels ‘very strongly’ that her late parents are still guiding her

Sharon Shannon shared that she feels “very strongly” that her late parents are still guiding her.

The musician lost her mother Mary in November 2014 at the age of 81 and her father IJ in December 2021 at the age of 93.

She explained that they were incredible supporters of hers throughout her life and she still feels it now.

Read more: Sharon Shannon on home life in Clare, her family, and making it in Hollywood

Read more: Musician Sharon Shannon opens up about how she got through loss and grief

Sharon opened up about her life, explaining that only one of her grandparents was alive when she was born.

She told RSVP Magazine: “All but one of my grandparents passed away before I was born. My mother's mother Catherine was the only grandparent I met. My mother's two oldest brothers John and Michael lived with her until she passed away.

“She used to play a small bit on the fiddle. She apparently played the concertina but she didn't have one anymore when I was born.

“They lived in a very old fashioned cottage. I loved visiting them. They boiled the kettle and cooked the dinner on the open fire. I was very young when my grandmother died so unfortunately I didn't get to know her that well.”

She added: “My parents were immense support to me my entire life and I feel very strongly that they're still guiding me since they passed away.”

During her childhood, she was very close with her neighbours, calling them her “second family ”.

“We were very friendly with our neighbours, in particular the Casey family, Angela, Maureen and their mother Ann. They were like a second family to us.” she said.

“Maureen was my godmother and Angela was my sister Mary's godmother. I never met their father Joe, he passed away before I was born. They were amazing neighbours.

“They have all passed away now but their two sons David and Darren are still living in the area and they're still very close to my family.”

Her connection with her neighbours hasn’t changed now that she lives in Galway as her local community is very friendly and musical.

Sharon shared: “I live in Salthill and I'm very lucky to have lovely neighbours. We have a door on the fence in my back garden that opens into my neighbours Margaret and Aidan’s back garden. We regularly borrow stuff off one another and use that door. They regularly have parties with live music so it suits me great.

“Úna on the other side is also a great friend. We have lots of little chats. Another neighbour Claire often brings me presents of baked goodies.

“Séamus up the road is another great neighbour. He’s a fantastic accordion player and we've been great friends for many years. I often hear him playing the accordion during sunny days. Sometimes I play along for the craic from my back garden, answering him back musically. I'm blessed with fantastic neighbours. They are a pure Godsend, all of them.”

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