Philomena Begley

Born on 20 October 1945 in Pomeroy, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, Philomena Begley was the fourth of eight children. Accordion-playing from her father and singing from her mother fostered the same affection for country music that many Irish artists share. After taking a job at a hat factory, she began performing part-time with the Old Cross Ceili Band, which rebranded as Country Flavour amid the late-1960s surge of country music across Ireland. In 1971 Philomena Begley and Country Flavour reached the Irish Top 10 with “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow,” a success quickly followed by “Never Again.” The next year she assembled her own group, the Ramblin’ Men, and scored an Irish hit with “Ramblin’ Man.” Further Irish chart entries included “Wait A Little Longer Please, Jesus,” the number-five single “Blanket On The Ground” (outpacing Billie Jo Spears, who peaked at number 11), and two duets with Ray Lynam, “You’re The One I Can’t Live Without” and “My Elusive Dreams.” She has performed on the stage of Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry and cut tracks at Porter Wagoner’s studios. A regular attraction at London’s Wembley Country Music Festivals, Begley continues to tour the UK both headlining and supporting visiting American acts. Although widely known as the Queen of Irish Country, she maintains a modest outlook and resides contentedly on the family farm alongside her husband and three children.