Michael O'Connor: One Man, And His Dream Of Music

EAST DURHAM — Some people spend their entire lives talking about the things they wish they could do.

They dream of writing a book, recording an album, inventing something, starting a business, or leaving behind a piece of themselves that will live on long after they're gone. Unfortunately, for many, those dreams remain exactly that—dreams. Life gets busy. Doubt creeps in. Obstacles appear. Before they know it, another year has passed, and the vision they once held so tightly fades into the background.

Then there are people like Michael O'Connor.

Known throughout the Catskills for his dedication that restarted the East Durham St. Patrick's Day Parade, his work with the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and as the voice behind the popular podcast "Some Good Craic"—an Irish expression simply meaning good fun and great entertainment—Michael has always believed that passion deserves to be shared with the world.

But there was another dream quietly waiting in the wings. Music.

Michael wrote his very first song in 2015, "Paddy's Day NYC." It wasn't just a song—it was the beginning of a journey. Over the next several years, inspiration seemed to find him everywhere he went. Stories, people, friendships, travels, and unforgettable moments slowly became lyrics. One song became several, and eventually nearly fifteen original compositions were waiting for their chance to be heard, 11 of which are on this first album.

Like so many aspiring songwriters, Michael faced a challenge that has stopped countless others. He had the songs, but not the band. Year after year he searched, hoping to assemble the right musicians to bring his music to life. Many people would have accepted defeat.

Michael chose a different path.

Instead of giving up on his dream, he embraced modern technology. Rather than seeing technology as a replacement for creativity, he used it as a tool to unlock years of ideas that had been living only in his imagination. The result is his debut album, "Kilted Ghost and Other Stories," released under the unforgettable band name Bin The Poo.

That unusual name has its own story.

During a 2018 trip to Ireland with his son, Michael Jr., the pair visited the Jameson Distillery in Dublin. As they left the tour, Michael noticed signs throughout the city that read "Bin the Poo," part of a public campaign encouraging dog owners to clean up after their pets. He laughed and jokingly said, "That would make a great band name." Years later, when it came time to release his music, he remembered that moment—and the name stuck.

Every song on the album carries a story.

The title track, "Kilted Ghost," is one of Michael's personal favorites, a song listeners have connected with because of its emotion and heartfelt storytelling.

"Blackthorne High" is a celebration of unforgettable nights spent in a certain area at the legendary Blackthorne Resort, the area is known as Misfit Mountain—a place filled with music, laughter and more than a little partying.

Perhaps the most emotional song on the album is "Rock Me Peter," written in honor of the beloved Peter McKiernan, affectionately known as Mr. Catskill. Michael first began writing the song in 2016, but wasn't finished until just three months before Peter's passing in October 2020. While Peter knew of the song, he never got to read the lyrics. Today, it stands as both a tribute and a reminder that the people who touch our lives deserve to be remembered.

Then there's "Emerald Eyes," inspired by a real-life encounter at JFK Airport. As Michael waited to board a flight to Dublin, a beautiful Chinese woman approached him, looked directly into his eyes, and in a rich Irish accent asked if she was standing in the correct line. The unexpected combination of elegance, mystery, and Irish charm left him completely speechless—but it also sparked a song that would become one of the album's most memorable stories.

While Irish influences weave throughout the record, this is far from a traditional Irish album. Michael isn't afraid to cross musical boundaries, even blending reggae rhythms with Irish instruments to create something refreshingly different. It's an album driven not by genre, but by storytelling.

And perhaps that's what makes this project so inspiring.

This isn't simply the story of a man recording an album.

It's the story of refusing to let a dream die.

It's proof that the tools available today can open doors that once seemed permanently closed. Where previous generations may have needed record labels, expensive studios, or full bands to bring their music to life, today's technology gives determined dreamers another chance.

Michael O'Connor seized that opportunity.

Instead of asking whether it was possible, he asked, "How can I make it happen?"

That single decision transformed years of unwritten melodies and unfinished ideas into an album that people around the world can now hear.

His journey reminds us that dreams don't have expiration dates. They simply wait for someone willing to chase them.

Maybe your dream isn't music. Maybe it's writing a novel, opening a business, painting, inventing something, or finally taking that first step toward a lifelong goal.

Whatever it is, Michael's story offers a simple but powerful lesson:

Don't wait for perfect circumstances.

Use what you have.

Learn what you need.

Adapt when necessary.

Most importantly...never stop believing that your dream deserves to become reality.

Because sometimes the only thing standing between a dream and an accomplishment is the courage to begin.

"Kilted Ghost and Other Stories" by Bin The Poo is now available on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, and all major streaming platforms.

Search for:

Mike O'Connor

Kilted Ghost and Other Stories

by Bin The Poo

Listen to the stories. Feel the passion. And maybe, just maybe, find the inspiration to chase a dream of your own.

I am your Bro LJ James and I will see you around the Mountain. Follow me on Facebookcom @ LJJamesTheBikerDJ