Pete Kavanagh Releases New Single Written by Christy Moore & Wally Page: The Night We Went to Bob Dylan
RELEASE DATE: FRIDAY 25TH JULY 2025
The Night We Went to Bob Dylan is a song written by two of Ireland’s greatest songwriters, Christy Moore and Wally Page.
This story song features a catchy chorus woven entirely from Bob Dylan song titles - a lyrical homage to a musical icon.
Christy Moore recorded Pete's song Darkness Before Dawn for his latest album A Terrible Beauty. During a phone call between the two to discuss the song, Christy mentioned a new version of a song he’d co-written with the late Wally Page.
This song was originally recorded as Zozimus and Zimmerman and features on Christy’s 2021 album Flying Into Mystery. Christy revisited the song, making changes and adding new verses. Knowing Pete was a fellow Dylan fan, he sent the updated version to him with an offer to record it.
“This recording is a celebration of Dylan, Christy, the stories that shaped us and the songs that keep it all lit. Their music has taught me more about history, civil rights, political protest and cultural identity than any classroom or media outlet ever could.” - Pete Kavanagh
This single will be released on Friday 25th July 2025.
Thank you for listening.
“Pete Kavanagh is a great songwriter and a great singer”
— Christy Moore
Credits
Written by Christy Moore and Wally Page
Pete Kavanagh: vocals, acoustic guitar & harmonica
Pam Kavanagh: vocals
Joe Ryan: pedal steel
Shay Cosgrave: bodhrán
Hally: backing vocals & additional instrumentation
Produced by Pam Kavanagh & Hally
Mixed & Mastered by Hally at ArtHouse Recording Studios, Naas, Co.Kildare.
About
Pete Kavanagh is a singer-songwriter, a musician and storyteller from Co. Kildare, Ireland. His style is best described as Americana-infused folk.
“My songs are portals into my inner emotions. They allow me to reach what is precious and sacred. When I perform, the songs live and breathe and I share a connection with the audience where the feelings are expressed and shared. This is the essence of my craft.”
Pete's poignant ballad Darkness Before Dawn, reflecting on a tragic event from 1921 in Newbridge, was notably recorded by Christy Moore and features on his latest album A Terrible Beauty.
Whether on record or on stage, Pete Kavanagh delivers every note with soul, depth and authenticity.
Pete is currently recording new songs and is set to perform a series of low-key, intimate gigs over the coming months. He is currently touring with The Muddy River Band – a powerhouse tribute to Neil Young, Bob Dylan and Van Morrison.
Find out more >>>
Christy Moore Records Pete Kavanagh’s “Darkness Before Dawn” for A Terrible Beauty
Pete Kavanagh’s song Darkness Before Dawn was chosen by Christy Moore to be featured on his new album, A Terrible Beauty.
Darkness Before Dawn is inspired by the story of the Doran family and the harrowing events that occurred on the 7th of July 1921, in Newbridge, Co. Kildare, during the final days leading up to the Anglo-Irish truce.
Pete came across the story from local historian James Durney and decided to document the tragedy through song.
"Pete Kavanagh from Naas wrote this ballad…when he sang it in The Red Hot Music Club in Kilcullen it was heard by my friend Noel Heavey. Noel tipped me off about this song and I set off in pursuit of Pete Kavanagh. Pete sent me the song and allowed me adjust it to “my fit” …. it’s short and complete and describes a reckless and subsequently disastrous IRA raid on the NAAFI store in my home town of Newbridge…. It would have been a justifiable raid on the English Army of occupation had there not been an innocent civilian family asleep upstairs. This awful event took place 100 yards from our home in Moorefield Terrace. Yet I heard nothing of this tragedy until Pete’s fine song came my way.”
- Christy Moore | Source: https://www.christymoore.com/october-2024/
The IRA targeted the NAAFI (Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes) on the Moorefield Road, seeking to seize goods from the British military. Bill Doran, the caretaker, lived above the store with his wife, Bridget, their ten-month-old baby, Kathleen and his two sons, William Jnr. and John. As a consequence of this raid, the Doran family were torn apart.
The IRA's intention was to liberate supplies and destroy what they could not take, pouring paraffin over the remaining goods. However, a catastrophic fire broke out, claiming the lives of Bridget and John. Bill and baby Kathleen survived, as did William Jnr., though he suffered severe burns. The tragedy shocked the town and opinions were divided - some sympathised with the IRA, while others criticised the consequences of their actions.
Darkness Before Dawn is a ballad that reflects the anguish, sorrow and conflicting emotions that surfaced in the wake of such a heartbreaking tragedy, emphasising the profound cost of war and the enduring impact on a community torn apart by its struggles.
Previous Releases
Join up the Dots - debut album
“This debut album ranks right up there beside the best of new Irish talent over recent decades. ” - Paul McGee
Mercy - a testament from an Irish working man in support of the victims and survivors of clerical and state abuse
Release Date: 16th October 2021
Genre: Alternative Rock, Americana, Singer-Songwriter
Sounds Like/Influences: Tom Petty, The Band, George Harrison
Words & Music: Pete Kavanagh
Musicians: Pete Kavanagh, Hally, Graham Hopkins, William McCormack
Mood: Dark, Tense, Reflective
Theme: Confrontation, Institutional & State Abuse, Closure
“The Americana-infused track tackles one of the countries most stigmatised issues, supporting victims of clerical and state abuse”
Mercy is a testament from an Irish working man in support of the victims and survivors of clerical and state abuse in Ireland, and indeed worldwide.
“We didn’t want to face up to it… You cannot say people didn’t understand what was going on. There was a colluding silence. And that colluding silence supported a state that didn’t want to intervene and assisted this institutional regime.”
- President Michael D Higgins
Quote taken from the Book “The Best Catholics in the World” by Derek Scally. Published 2021.
“The atmosphere of the music created by this artist is very fascinating, the thing that makes it unique and magical is Pete’s voice. An artist of sure talent who has a uniquely original style. In some moments the chord progression and harmonic intuitions reminded me of Radiohead.”
“Kavanagh’s delivery carries the Cohen-esque vibe, fragile, heavy with emotion and cinematic in the way it draws you in.”
“Great songwriting, great singing, great arrangements, playing and production. Pete writes from the heart and many of the thought-provoking lyrics touch on pretty serious topics. But there’s also room for lighter stuff including taking the mickey out of corporate speak and my favourite, the lovely To Hold The Red Rose. ”
Pete Kavanagh dives deep into the emotional trauma being experienced all over the world, encouraging us all to “Hold On”
Release Date: 23rd October 2020
Genre: Folk Rock, Americana, Singer-Songwriter
Words & Music: Pete Kavanagh
Musicians: Pete Kavanagh, Hally, Lenny Cahill
Sounds Like/Influences: Tom Petty, The Band, George Harrison, David Bowie
Mood: Emotive, haunting, melodically enchanting
Theme: Mental Health, PTSD, Anxiety, Isolation
Straight to RTE Radio 1's Recommends List in 2020
Ready to provide comfort & catharsis by confronting anxiety & authority with the creative freedom, courage, and artistic integrity required to make a resounding impact on the hearts & minds of those who listen – Pete Kavanagh dives deep into the emotional trauma being experienced all over the world, encouraging us all to “Hold On”.
With our shared humanity threatened by the peril of demoralised times spent trapped in lockdown, mental health issues undeniably on the rise, and no answers to the many questions we all have on the horizon – “Hold On” boldly dares to address what we’re all collectively feeling, and offers authentic solace to the soul through a mesmerising Blues/Rock vibe that echoes the emotional tone of his words.
“To Hold the Red Rose” – Inspired by loss, this is a song of love and survival
Release date: 10th September 2020
Genre: Americana, Contemporary Indie Folk
Words & Music: Pete Kavanagh
Musicians: Pete Kavanagh, Hally, Lenny Cahill, Pam Kavanagh
Sounds like: Johnny Cash, Nick Cave, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Bill Callahan, Tindersticks, The Handsome Family
Mood: Late night feel, emotive, raw, acoustic, haunting
Theme: Love, grief, hope
To Hold the Red Rose is a song inspired by loss and survival. It is a positive slice of Folk/Americana and the lead single from his forthcoming album, Join up the Dots, set for release in November 2021.
It has something of the rough and rowdy Dylan and a little of early Tom Waits, but as influences only, this is no imitation, this is something new.
* Straight to RTE Radio 1's Recommends List in 2020 *
- Reached #4 in the Irish Singer-Songwriter Singles Charts
- Semi-Finalist in the International Songwriting Competition 2020
What People are Saying
“Musicians find immovable objects inside people's pain and this is an important work. Bravo!!”
“Country/Folk Singer, Pete Kavanagh shares a deeply personal song on the Americana infused track “Mercy”, tackling one of the country’s most stigmatized issues (Clerical & State abuse).”
“I have to say that this album is class and a work of art. There ain’t a bad song on it. It’s the type of album that when it finishes, you find yourself saying ‘I’ll play that again.”
— Downtown Detroit
“Definite Nick Cave/Johnny Cash vibes…..like if they had a son, his name would be Pete Kavanagh. The video is beautiful and the chorus is mighty catchy.”
“Pete Kavanagh’s debut single is a haunting and atmospheric love song that beautifully conjures up the spirit of Leonard Cohen. With it’s simple and unaffected use of acoustic guitar and piano, it grabs you from the very first bars and thereafter never relinquishes its grip. You’ll be singing along even as the goosebumps rise on the back of your neck.”
“To Hold the Red Rose has something of the rough and rowdy Dylan and a little of early Tom Waits, but as influences only as this is no imitation, this is something new. Mixing traditional folk forms with the sweetness of a classic chorus and mercurial organ, Pete’s vocal has a passion that gives the song a timeless air, managing the great pop trick of letting the hint of euphoria shine through the stately melancholy and melody.”
“When Pete Kavanagh sings he bares his soul.”
“There's hella cool Cash meets Cohen vibes here. Such a slick execution of vintage, bluesy acoustic sounds.”
“Pete has performed at Leith Depot on a number of occasions and always receives a great reaction from our audience. He presents an easy going, warm and witty banter combined with a stunning musical delivery and hard-hitting lyrics that command the attention of everyone in the room. We are looking forward to Pete returning to our venue soon.”