Could a Trad Song Save Your Life? Hagan Homes Backs Hey Ho! Haemochromatosis

At Hagan Homes, we build homes for families across Northern Ireland, and we know that families pass a lot down through the generations. Some of it is wonderful, like a laugh, a turn of phrase or a love of music. Some of it is less welcome. Haemochromatosis is one of those things, and it’s far more common here than most people realise.

That’s why we’re proud to support Genesis Advertising’s haemochromatosis awareness campaign for its third year. This year’s campaign has one of the most unexpected, and most memorable, approaches we’ve seen.

Meet The Celtic Curse

Hey Ho! Haemochromatosis is an infectious, foot-stomping trad song performed by The Celtic Curse, a specially assembled group of Northern Ireland traditional musicians. The band is fronted by Belfast singer Stephen Butler, who lives with the condition himself.

With bodhrán, whistle, accordion, fiddle, guitar and banjo, the song takes one of medicine’s hardest words to pronounce and makes it into a chorus you’ll be humming for days. That’s exactly the idea. Once you can say haemochromatosis, you’re far more likely to remember it, and to recognise the signs in yourself or someone you love.

The music video was filmed in Belfast’s Morning Star pub. It launched on Monday 2 November and will run throughout the month on TV, radio, cinema, digital and social. There’s also a special 130-second takeover of a UTV ad break at 11.15pm on Tuesday 3 November.

What is haemochromatosis?

Genetic haemochromatosis is an inherited condition that causes the body to absorb too much iron from food. It’s strongly linked to Irish and Celtic ancestry, which is why it’s earned the nickname ‘the Celtic Curse’. An estimated one in 10 people in Northern Ireland have genetic variants associated with an increased risk of iron overload.

Symptoms can include persistent fatigue, joint pain and brain fog, which are all easy to put down to a busy life. Without treatment, iron can build up in the organs and tissues. This can lead to serious complications, including liver cirrhosis, diabetes and heart disease.

The good news is that early diagnosis and treatment can prevent this damage. Treatment usually involves regularly removing blood, which is called venesection, and some patients may also be able to donate blood. If you’re worried about symptoms or your family history, speak to your GP.

Why it matters

The campaign is already making a real difference. Research by SMR after the first campaign found that recognition of the word haemochromatosis among adults in Northern Ireland rose from 22% in October 2023 to 48% in January 2024. However, that still means more than half of people don’t recognise the condition, and that’s the gap this year’s song aims to close.

Genesis Chief Executive Stephen Bogan, who was diagnosed in 2018, put it simply: “The more people who hear it, the more people might recognise the condition, get checked and treated before serious damage occurs. Share the song. You could save a life.”

Stephen Butler, who has continued performing, coaching football and raising two young children since starting treatment, added: “If singing the name of this condition helps someone remember it, recognise the symptoms or ask about their family history, that could make a real difference.”

How you can help

The ask is simple: listen, sing along and share. Send the song to your family group chat, play it for your parents, and start the conversation about what runs in your family. Every share is another chance for someone to recognise the condition before it causes harm.

Listen to Hey Ho! Haemochromatosis by The Celtic Curse here: https://youtu.be/lqdV_jEXd2E

The song is also available on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music. For more information about the condition, its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, visit - https://www.haemochromatosis.org.uk/

Hagan Homes is proud to stand alongside Genesis Advertising, Haemochromatosis UK, SMR Research, The Soundhouse NI, Andy Young and all the campaign partners in helping to spread a message that could save lives.