Thomas’s tunes help keep lifeboats afloat

EVER since it was released this time last year, Thomas O’Callaghan’s CD ‘Dingle Bay’ has been helping the lifeboat service, and last week he made his latest donation, amounting to €1,600, to Doolin Rescue Centre in County Clare.

Thomas, from John Street and now living in Ennis, has a well-known voice. This comes partly from his role as the provider of an ever-colourful commentary at Dingle Races, but also because he is a very fine balladeer who has occasionally shared the stage with stars of the showband era.

Last year Thomas recorded a CD as a fund-raiser for the lifeboat service. Since then the collection of his favourite ballads has raised over €6,000, which has been donated to rescue units in Valentia, Fenit and County Clare. Such is the success of the venture – and Thomas’s love of ballads – that he plans to return to the studio in the near-future to record a follow-up album.

“Hopefully the contributions to these lifeboats and the Doolin Rescue Centre will help them along the way,” said Thomas. “It was great that Derek O’Connor – the all time leading point-to-point jockey – along with Mattie and Celia Ryan did this presentation to Tom Doherty, who is in charge of the centre and a legend in the coastal rescue service in West Clare.

“Getting the first CD completed has been a joy for me, and plans are underway for the second at the minute. For those who can reel in the years it is hoped in September to bring a five-piece band to Dingle, and hopefully it will bring back memories for people – like that of travelling in ‘Stevie’s Bus’ to dances all over Kerry,” he added.

Thomas O’Callaghan (left) making a presentation of €1,300 to Doolin Rescue Centre with the help of Ireland’s leading point-to-point jockey Derek O’Connor.