Phil Coulter ‘honoured’ to receive Derry Journal Lifetime Achievement Award 2021
- 3 years ago
Musical genius Phil Coulter has spoken of his gratitude and pride in his city after being named as the recipient of the Derry Journal People of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award 2021.
The composer, musician and producer behind a vast array on some of the world’s most lauded songs was honoured with the accolade at the awards ceremony in the Everglades Hotel on Thursday night.
Phil Coulter’s daughter Siobhan was in attendance at the Derry Journal Bet McLean awards ceremony to collect the award, while her father sent a video recording from Spain to those in attendance.
The man who penned Derry’s anthem ‘The Town I Loved So Well’, the national rugby anthem ‘Ireland’s Call’, ‘Scorn Not His Simplicity’ and numerous other global hits, told those gathered: “Thank you to the Derry Journal and indeed to Derry for this very important award.
“I’m very aware that I am stepping into some very big shoes with this Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Sorry I am night there to join the festivities, as you can see I am putting in the long hours here in Spain - yeah, it’s a long way from Abercorn Terrace. It’s been quite journey.
“During my career I have often said my first smart move was being born in Derry. Derry has played an important part in shaping me and has stayed very important in my life through all these years.
Growing up in the city, the Derry Journal loomed large in our lives - I remember visiting the offices on Shipquay Street when it was owned by the McCarroll family, and characters like the photographer Larry Doherty, Balbo [Willie] Carson, journalists like Frank Curran. They were indeed glory days.
“I’ve been fortunate in my life and my career to receive many awards but there is something very special about this one because it’s from my own place and my own people.”
Phil was one of many worthy recipients on the night. To cheers, his daughter Siobhan summed up the feelings of many attendees on the night when she stated: “I really am truly honoured to be in this room tonight with so many people who have been an inspiration, who have gone above and beyond all measure for their communities and that is what makes this city great.”
The composer, musician and producer behind a vast array on some of the world’s most lauded songs was honoured with the accolade at the awards ceremony in the Everglades Hotel on Thursday night.
Phil Coulter’s daughter Siobhan was in attendance at the Derry Journal Bet McLean awards ceremony to collect the award, while her father sent a video recording from Spain to those in attendance.
The man who penned Derry’s anthem ‘The Town I Loved So Well’, the national rugby anthem ‘Ireland’s Call’, ‘Scorn Not His Simplicity’ and numerous other global hits, told those gathered: “Thank you to the Derry Journal and indeed to Derry for this very important award.
“I’m very aware that I am stepping into some very big shoes with this Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Sorry I am night there to join the festivities, as you can see I am putting in the long hours here in Spain - yeah, it’s a long way from Abercorn Terrace. It’s been quite journey.
“During my career I have often said my first smart move was being born in Derry. Derry has played an important part in shaping me and has stayed very important in my life through all these years.
Growing up in the city, the Derry Journal loomed large in our lives - I remember visiting the offices on Shipquay Street when it was owned by the McCarroll family, and characters like the photographer Larry Doherty, Balbo [Willie] Carson, journalists like Frank Curran. They were indeed glory days.
“I’ve been fortunate in my life and my career to receive many awards but there is something very special about this one because it’s from my own place and my own people.”
Phil was one of many worthy recipients on the night. To cheers, his daughter Siobhan summed up the feelings of many attendees on the night when she stated: “I really am truly honoured to be in this room tonight with so many people who have been an inspiration, who have gone above and beyond all measure for their communities and that is what makes this city great.”