David Keenan has released the new single ‘Lighting Brown’, a track honouring his late grandfather Brendan Gill.

According to Keenan’s Instagram, the song was inspired by a Dundalk character of the same name, who was “a great footballer in his day, but was a product of his time.”

The musician added that the single has been unreleased for years, but that his grandfather encouraged him to put it out during their last conversation.

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A post shared by David Keenan (@davidkeenanmuso)

Keenan announced the passing of his grandfather in an Instagram post yesterday, paying tribute by writing: “Anyone who knows me and my music will appreciate the impact he’s had and his passing has left an immeasurable void in all of us as a family, clan, one that we can only attempt to fill with gratitude for all the gifts he brought to being.

“My grandad was my best friend, father figure, advisor, inspiration and collaborator!

"If you listen to songs like ‘The Friary’, ‘Good Old Days,’ ‘Love in a Snug’, ‘Lightning Brown’ - They all came about because of his genius as a storyteller.”

“To many unknown,” Keenan concluded, “but to those who knew him he was and always will be our giant and high king.”

‘Lighting Brown’ is available now on Bandcamp.