[2] Philomena Begley was born and grew up in Pomeroy, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland,[3] and worked in a hat factory in Cookstown before her break into music.

[4] In 1974, she formed the Ramblin' Men,[3] while the Country Flavour continued to tour with several other lead singers (including Eileen King and Dan O'Hara) during the 1970s.

Begley regularly toured with Ray Lynam from 1975 and they recorded many duets together, probably their most popular being "My Elusive Dreams",[3] which went on to be mentioned in The Pogues' song, "A Pair of Brown Eyes".

[3] Since then, she has returned annually to Nashville, been a guest of honour at the St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City, and has sung at both the Grand Ole Opry and Carnegie Hall.

One of Begley's biggest fans is Irish singer Daniel O'Donnell, and he once said, "When Philomena sings a song you believe her... you feel that she's experienced every emotion she expresses.