Dominic Kirwan’s surname suits him well. The name Kirwan has connections to a French winery and a wine called Charmes de Kirwan loosely translated as ‘charms of Kirwan’. This reference would not surprise those who have attended Dominic’s concerts. They would in fact agree there could never be a more fitting connection! For Dominic Kirwan, the Irish singer and entertainer, has charmed many with his rich as wine voice, that has a stark similarity to that of Tom Jones. Dominic rounds of this double treat with an ease of movement honed from a childhood studying Irish dance.
The popular singer is gearing up for his 25th anniversary as a professional recording artist next year and hopes to cap of celebrations with a return visit to Australia.
Dominic says in spite of the distance, he is very comfortable in Australia with its similarities to Ireland. His history with Australia goes back to when his song “We’ll Be Together From Now On” was selected by the Fred Hollows Foundation to support their appeals in Eritrea. Dominic speaks fondly of his association with the foundation.
One of the appealing things about Dominic, is that he has always been keen to meet and get to know his fans, a lesson he learned from Charlie Pride when he first met him back in 1990, on the first night of a five week tour. Charlie had spent an hour chatting with Dominic and his band at the time. He was impressed by Charlie’s ability to be accessible and personable to those around him, an ability he himself has continued to emulate.
I myself was privy to this when visiting Ireland earlier this year. In the foyer of the hotel Dominic was performing at, I was delighted to see Dominic chatting and taking photos with fans that had arrived for his concert. Dominic recognised and remembered us from his previous visit to Tasmania in 2005, he drew himself away from the crowd for a few moments, joined us for a chat and took time to have a few photos with myself and family.
Life as an entertainer began early for Dominic with Irish dancing. At 6 years of age he entered the world of singing when a Christian brother teacher discovered him, informing his mother that Dominic had a remarkable singing voice. Experience in both dance and song was gained by entering competitions, singing in the school and church choirs and later forming his first band.
I asked Dominic in those early years was there ever any conflict between his two loves of dancing and singing? and how singing had won out. He says that if his dancing years had coincided with the revival that gave the world River Dance perhaps his career may have taken a different path. As for following his singing career, he has no regrets.
His talent has made the generational jump to his son Colm, who has settled in Nashville as a singer/songwriter. He himself has just finished the first part of a US tour supporting Don Williams, and is preparing to continue touring with Don in early 2014. Another of Dominic’s sons, Barry, is the drummer with a new up and coming Irish entertainer, Derek Ryan.
It’s an interesting piece of trivia that Dominic’s patron saint is the patron saint of astronomers. For me, Dominic is definitely a star in more ways than one, continuing to give of himself both on and off stage meeting with fans, both pre and post show and in the charitable work he does for many different charities. A few years ago he did a parachute jump for a selection of Cancer awareness groups, organisations that have been close to his own heart.
To find out more about Dominic, purchase his music and DVD’s plus merchandise go to http://www.dominickirwan.com/
Look for Dominic’s Australian tour in 2014.
Paula Xiberras
