Teen’s debut album to raise funds for Console

Galway singer/songwriter Maria O’Dowd is launching her debut CD Time 2 Talk to raise funds and awareness for the national suicide prevention and bereavement charity Console.

The 18-years-old from Lurgan Park, Renmore, will launch her new recording at An Púcán Bar on Forster Street tonight (Wednesday, October 8) at 9pm.

“I have lost friends to suicide so I want to get the message out there that hope and help is always available at Console,” said Maria.

An arts student at NUIG, Maria was aged just seven when she first began singing for Console.

“My mother Jacqueline O’Dowd is a singer and I would accompany her each year when she sang at the Console Celebration of Light service in Galway. I also sang with her in The National Concert Hall and Vicar Street in Dublin,” she said.

“The organisation has always been close to my heart because of the fantastic work it does supporting people in crisis and those who have been bereaved by suicide.”

Console founder and CEO Paul Kelly said Maria’s CD will help to raise awareness particularly among young people.

“We are indebted to Maria for helping to spread the message that Console is always there to help when you are going through a difficult time,” said Paul.

Inspired by American bluegrass and country music Maria’s CD contains two songs called ‘Memories’ and ‘Friends’.

“The song ‘Friends’ is about a young friend of mine who was bullied and who turned to me for help,” said Maria.

“I wrote ‘Memories’ after my grandfather passed away. It is about the heartfelt agony of losing somebody close. A feeling all of us share many times in our lives.”

Writing two contrasting pieces of work led Maria to believe that these two emotions are simply two sides of the one coin. “In every walk of life, it is always important to make time to talk,” she says.

Maria plays piano and guitar and she is accompanied by local musicians Chris Fahy and Ray Diamond playing slide and electric guitars. Musician Mairin Fahy, Chris Fahy, Ray Diamond and special guest Marc Roberts will be appearing with Maria at Wednesday night’s launch, which is being sponsored by An Púcán.

Console’s Project Development Manager Margaret Tierney thanked Maria for her efforts on behalf of the local organisation.

“As a student at Salerno Secondary School, Maria won the Emily Feeney Generosity of Spirit Award, which gives you an indication of the high calibre and esteem in which she is held,” said Margaret.

The Console freephone helpline number is 1800 247247.