Damien Dempsey has shared details of his first new studio album proper in seven years ‘Hold Your Joy’ which is set for release on October 25th. The follow-up to 2017’s ‘Soulsun’ contains 16 tracks including new single and titular track ‘Hold Your Joy’.

‘The song Hold Your Joy came first in the riff you hear on the piano, I woke up with it in me head, very strong, so I ran downstairs and started fleshing it out on the piano, it obviously came in a dream, and I think the world is waking up to the power of the mind, visualisation, gratitude, meditation, mindfulness, the dark times will come, but practice stilling your mind in the morning and practice gratitude, and you’ll know the joy is on its way, and when it comes, hold it,’ explains Dempsey of the album’s cornerstone.

“The album ‘Hold your Joy came from a great book I read that really lifted me when I was down in the dumps, the Book of Joy by Douglas Abram’s, he got two wise men together to talk about the importance of trying to stay grateful and joyful, these two men had lived through wars and oppression in their native lands , exile and apartheid , but maintained that you can do far more good for the world and those around you and yourself. if you try and stay grateful and joyful through it all, the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu were the two wise men, everyone on earth needs to read this book, or hear it,’

‘Hold your Joy’ will be followed by Damien Dempsey returning to Vicar Street for his now traditional run of Christmas shows which have become part of the fabric of the Dublin festive season.

Vicar Street December

Monday 16^th

Tuesday 17^th

Thursday 19^th

Friday 20^th

Sunday 22^nd

Monday 23^rd

Tickets from €46.00 on sale here