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A Camlough musician is part of The Celtic Curse, a group of traditional players releasing a song to raise awareness of haemochromatosis. Daragh McNulty from Camlough, Co. Armagh, plays bodhrán and guitar on Hey Ho! Haemochromatosis, which launched on Monday past 2 November and runs throughout the month. The campaign highlights an estimate that one in 10 people in Northern Ireland have genetic variants associated with an increased risk of iron overload.
Haemochromatosis is an inherited iron overload condition, known as the ‘Celtic Curse’, and the song aims to get people singing a word that could help save lives. The Celtic Curse is a group of traditional musicians assembled for the project and fronted by Stephen Butler from Belfast, who lives with the condition. Along with McNulty, the line-up features Sinead McKenna from Augher, Co. Tyrone, on fiddle, Daniel McKenna, also from Augher, on accordion, and Kevin Mawdsley from Belfast on banjo and whistle.
The song was conceived and created by Belfast-based Genesis Advertising and is the latest part of its haemochromatosis awareness initiative, now in its third year. Support has come from partners including Haemochromatosis UK, Hagan Homes, SMR Research, The Soundhouse NI, Andy Young and a number of media owners.
Genesis Creative Director Darren Lyttle explained the thinking behind the musical approach. “For generations, traditional music has passed down our stories, culture and heritage,” he said. “But other things are passed down too, often without us knowing - like haemochromatosis. So, in the year of the Fleadh, what better way to raise awareness than through a traditional song? And we’ve ended up with a genuinely infectious, foot-stomping tune with the most unlikely chorus imaginable: ‘Hey Ho! Haemochromatosis!’ Our hope is that people will enjoy the song, sing along and share it, and in doing so, help spread a potentially lifesaving message.”
The music video was filmed at Belfast’s Morning Star pub and combines traditional music, humour and a serious public-health message. The full song will be released for radio, digital audio and video. A mix of 60 and 30-second television, video, radio and cinema advertisements will run throughout November, supported by digital and social content.
Genesis Chief Executive Stephen Bogan, who was diagnosed with haemochromatosis in 2018, said: “When I was diagnosed, I couldn’t believe how little awareness there was of the condition, particularly here in Northern Ireland. Knowing what I know, and the position I’m in, I felt I had a duty to do something. We believe this song will save lives. The more people who hear it, the more people might recognise the condition, get checked and treated before serious damage occurs. So, we’re asking everyone to share the song, and broadcasters everywhere to play it. Share the song. You could save a life.”
Research by SMR following the original awareness campaign found that recognition of the word haemochromatosis rose from 22% of Northern Ireland adults in October 2023 to 48% in January 2024. More than half still did not recognise the condition.
Butler, who is also lead singer and manager of Thunder Rolls, The Garth Brooks Tribute Show and The Liberals Wedding Band, said: “Having haemochromatosis myself makes this much more than another performance. I know first-hand how important it is to get diagnosed and treated.”
He added: “Since receiving treatment, I’ve been able to continue doing all the things I love - performing, coaching football and being an active dad to my two young children. I lead a busy life, often working nights in entertainment, and I’m grateful that treatment has allowed me to keep doing that.”
“If singing the name of this condition helps someone remember it, recognise the symptoms or ask about their family history, that could make a real difference. We want people singing along, sharing the song and starting conversations. It really could help save lives.”
Genetic haemochromatosis causes the body to absorb too much iron from food, and its association with Irish and Celtic ancestry has earned it the nickname ‘The Celtic Curse’. Symptoms can include persistent fatigue, joint pain and brain fog. Without treatment, iron can accumulate in organs and tissues, potentially causing serious complications including liver cirrhosis, diabetes, heart disease and, in some cases, premature death.
Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent serious damage. Treatment usually involves regular blood removal, known as venesection, and some patients may also be eligible to donate blood. Anyone concerned about symptoms or family history should speak to their GP.
Welcoming the campaign, Neil Irwin, Philanthropy Manager at Haemochromatosis UK, said: “Haemochromatosis can cause serious harm when it goes undiagnosed, but early diagnosis and treatment can prevent that. We believe this imaginative campaign from Genesis Advertising has the potential to save lives by helping people recognise a condition they may never have heard of. We will share the song through our international network, reaching Irish communities in America, Australia and beyond. It’s a message for families here and for those whose roots are in Northern Ireland.”
Broadcasters are being encouraged to play the full track, while the public is being invited to share it with friends and family. The song can be heard above and will also be available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music.
Further information about the condition, its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment is available at www.haemochromatosis.org.uk
