Ann Breen

b. Downpatrick, Co. Down, Northern Ireland. Breen first joined a pop band at school and was leading Ann And The Country Band when only 16 years old. She played the cabaret circuit but kept her full-time day job for seven years. A revival of ‘Pal Of My Cradle Days’ was a huge success in Ireland and a turntable hit in the UK, making the lower reaches of the chart. Breen recorded several other ‘mother’ songs including ‘What A Friend We Have In Mother’, ‘Medals For Mother’ and ‘A Mother’s Love Is A Blessing’. By way of variety, she also recorded a song for fathers, ‘In Your Heart’. Breen’s albums mix Irish songs, American country songs, old-time songs and middle-of-the-road hits. An attempt at something different - the disco single ‘Domino’ - was ill-advised. Breen’s soft Irish brogue and likeable personality make her a popular concert attraction. Of her music, she has stated, ‘Most of the songs that I have recorded are not the real, sloppy wet songs but are sentimental songs that have been around for years and will be around for many more.’ In the mid-00s Breen decided to retire from touring to concentrate on recording.