Darragh recalls grandparents in ‘Tilly and the Postmaster’

By Declan Tierney

An album that was two years in the making and is in memory of the singer’s grandparents will be released shortly . . . and even before its release, Darragh O’Dea’s album already proving hugely popular with his loyal following.

The paternal grandparents of the accomplished Tuam singer and songwriter passed away in the past year, so he decided name the album he was making in their honour.

Darragh has performed with local bands The Coonics and Ralphs over the years, but this is his first full-length solo album. He’s funding it via the website Kickstarter and the pre-release sales have been incredibly encouraging.

It’s entitled Tilly and the Postmaster to celebrate the lives of Tilly who died in January of this year and her husband of 63 years, Neil O’Dea, who was laid to rest in May 2020.

Neil, the father of Galway footballers Jimmy, Conor and Padraic O’Dea, was the retired Postmaster in Tuam and a prominent member of the town’s GAA club.

Darragh, a born songwriter, explained he wanted to remember his late grandparents at what was a difficult time for the whole family.

His father Sean O’Dea, a member of Tuam Golf Club, is the elder statesman of the family but one who is incredibly proud of his son and mentions Darragh’s musical skills at every opportunity. His mother Carmel is an avid walker.

In a reversal of current trends, Darragh’s new album is being released on old-fashioned vinyl and CD as well as online. He has also produced a limited-edition t-shirt in conjunction with the album for those who have supported his Kickstarter campaign.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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