‘Sarah had a heart of gold and a love of adventure’

A TALENTED young Drumconrath musician has just released a new single in memory of her friend who died at the age of just 28.

Emma Martin wrote 'Sarah's Song - i gconaí ann' in memory of her friend Sarah Carty who died from a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

Emma, a daughter of Gene and Eithne Martin of Drumconrath, wrote the song as Gaeilge to reflect the love Sarah had for the language. The song has a universal theme of friendship and shows that even though someone may not be present physically, they are ‘I gcónaí ann’ or ‘always there’.

The song has been released as a fundraiser for ‘First Descents’, a charity that provides life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions.

Emma, who grew up in a very musical household is a primary school teacher and had been working and living in Dublin when she met Sarah, who was originally from Co Wicklow.

“We were team-mates in St Kevin's Camogie Club in Dolphin’s Barn and we became great buddies.

"She was beautiful and immensely talented. She was a superb writer, singer and has a very successful blog ‘SurvivalwithStyle’. She was a great athlete, especially at camogie and she had a heart of gold and a love of adventure.

"She got a pain in her back when playing camogie, thought she sprained it and kept playing, but it got worse. When she went to hospital about it she was diagnosed with angiosarcoma.

"She was sick for five years but always had a smile on her face. She just got on with things. Her friends all knew she was ill, but she was always ready for another adventure."

Emma is an award-winning harpist and singer. A multi-instrumentalist, growing up in a very musical household, she was delighted when given the opportunity to take up the harp at the age of fifteen. She studied the harp at the well known 'Meath Harp School' and was a member of the 'Meath Harp Ensemble' for the remainder of her school years.

She is the eldest of five children who are all very musical.

"My parents Gene and Eithne have been a huge support to me," she says.

Emma has made several appearances on local and national media platforms. In 2017, she was crowned champion of the prestigious 'Feis Ceoil' competition for harp and voice which is held in the RDS each year. She was shortlisted for the 'Newcomer of the Year 2019' and was again a finalist in the 'Wedding Musician of the Year 2020' category of the weddingsonline awards.

When Sarah was sick, Emma took a career break from teaching to spend more time with her friend and work as a professional musician, working mainly as a wedding musician.

She married her husband, Mark Rouse, last March and they are now living in Letterkennyy in Donegal.

"I hadn't been planning to return to teaching, but I have been doing a little bit of subbing for a local school and I think I might go back to teaching."

Although Emma was in retirement from camogie, the local club in Donegal have persuaded her to play for them, something she is really enjoying,

Emma was heartbroken when Sarah died and is pleased that their camogie club, St Kevin's, holds a memorial tournament in Sarah's honour.

"She was writing a book which she never got to finish, but her family are hoping to have it published.

"Sarah had been planning to sing on the recording. Unfortunately, with the worsening of her condition, this never came to pass."

Sarah’s niece Holly Kavanagh collaborated on vocals with Emma’s harp and voice and along with the extremely talented musicians Ciara Ní Bhrian on fiddle and Luke Devaney on guitar and mandolin, they have created a stunningly vibrant piece of music.

The recording was launched in ‘The Ferryman’ Pub, Dublin on Saturday and any money raised from the launch will go to ‘First Descents’, a charity that provides life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults (ages 18-39) impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions. Sarah, who was the first ever Irish participant, had such a magical experience with First Descents and wanted to spread the message of what they do others.

Sarah’s song (I gcónaí ann) is available to download and listen to (for free) on Spotify, Youtube and all major music streaming sites and donations can be made at www.gofund.me.ie ‘Saraah’s Song’