Friends and family of beloved musician Paul Mooney are preparing to remember him on what would have been his 32nd birthday this Saturday, February 15th.
The Ramelton man tragically lost his life in a road crash just days before Christmas 2023, aged 30.
Paul will be forever in the hearts and minds of all his family, friends and loved ones, and his legacy in music will live through the chords he shared with the world.
His best friend and Boy M5 bandmate Kyle O’Neill also made a promise to Paul that he’ll never be forgotten.
This weekend, to mark Paul’s birthday, Boy M5 will release their most emotional and deeply personal single to date, Never Be the Same. The track will be performed for the first time at ‘Moonfest’ – an event celebrating Paul at The Cottage Letterkenny.
“This is the hardest song I’ve ever written,” says frontman Kyle. “I kept thinking about all the things we planned, all the music we were supposed to make together. This song is me making a promise—to Paul, to myself, and to everyone who loved him—that he won’t be forgotten. His music will still be heard. His name will still be spoken.”
At its core, “Never Be the Same” is a conversation with Paul, a message of remembrance and commitment to keeping his legacy alive. From the opening line—How can I go on without you? —to the hauntingly beautiful bridge— One day, I’ll see you on the moon, where memories don’t fade — the song captures the immense weight of grief while offering a glimmer of hope that love and music endure beyond loss.
Paul’s talent is dearly missed in the Northwest music scene. He was a skilled multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer who was so generous with his time and talent.
Moonfest will see the music community coming together in The Cottage to honour Paul, “exactly how he would have wanted: with a lineup of great music, laughter, and love,” says Kyle.
The line-up includes Boy M5, The Ephades, Without Willow, Beware of the Beast and more local acts. Doors open at 7.30pm, all welcome.
Boy M5 say their tribute song wouldn’t have been possible without the musicians who helped bring it to life. Jamie McClelland took on the difficult role of stepping in as Boy M5’s new bassist, while Simon McCafferty carefully emulated Paul’s guitar style to honour his playing. Laura McFadden added stunning layers of cello, and Brian Doherty provided the driving force on drums. Last but certainly not least, Nigel Hegarty not only helped shape its sound but also provided invaluable support throughout the process.
The single follows Boy M5’s rising momentum in 2024, including a headline performance at Stendhal Festival, a feature in The Irish Times’ “Top 20 Acts to Watch,” and airplay on Radio X by Chris Moyles. This track is a defining moment for the band, signalling not just their resilience, but their ability to translate personal heartbreak into universally powerful music.
“Never Be the Same” will be available on all streaming platforms from Saturday 15th February.
Follow Boy M5 on your preferred streaming platform to hear the track; https://linktr.ee/boy.m5
