By Róise Collins
LETTERKENNY man Tommy Halligan is elated to launch his first ever art exhibition in Charley’s Café, Letterkenny this Monday, October 9.
A once bustling businessman, Tommy’s career was put on hold when he received a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis at only 36 years old.
The chronic disease of the central nervous system has impaired his mobility and he now deals with severe pain on a daily basis.
During the pandemic he found himself channelling his overwhelming emotions and frustrations into raw and unfiltered artwork.
He has now created a full collection of colourful eye-catching paintings that will be available for the public to view for the first time next week.
“I can’t wait for the exhibition to start, it’s the only thing keeping me going really,” Tommy told the Donegal News ahead of the upcoming opening night.
Tommy who is a proud father of three and a grandfather of three, was born in Drogheda in 1967.
At just 10 years old his family relocated to Letterkenny, where and his three brothers all attended St. Eunan’s College.
Fresh out of school Tommy started his first job at Seamus MacAteer’s shop, County Seat, on Letterkenny Main Street.
After almost 10 years he decided to open his own shop called Portobello Road, in Green’s Market Centre which also on the Main Street.
During this period he was also becoming well known as a DJ around the town and even had his own slot on Highland Radio.
The keen business man continued his bustling career and later opened his own furniture business in Letterkenny called Showhouse.
Tommy reluctantly had to close down the business, when he was diagnosed with MS.
Now in his fifty’s he lives in Kilmacrennan, and is able to maintain a degree of independence with the help of his Personal Assistants. He uses a rollator to walk very short distances but tires easily, so he is generally a wheel chair user for trips away from home.
Tommy reminisced on life before his diagnosis, and explained how focusing on his artwork has been a great way to keep himself occupied.
“I had always been busy before the MS, so this has given me something to do and something to focus on,” he said.
Tommy is hopeful that the exhibition will inspire other people to channel their inner artist.
Tommy is a self-taught artist however he said the many creative people surrounding him have been a great inspiration, including Sarah and
Christy Keeney who are both renowned artists, as well as his good friend Redmond Herrity who is also a celebrated sculptor.
“I was surrounded by these artistic people and I couldn’t help but pursue something artistic because of them.
“So it wasn’t my fault I started painting, it was their fault,” he laughed.
Whereas the inspiration behind his art work is much more profound, he explained.
“It’s what is in my mind. It is my pain, my sickness and how I feel. I just put all of those feelings down on paper or canvass in my case.”
Through trial and error, Tommy now predominantly focuses on the medium of acrylic to create his vivid paintings.
“Years ago I tried oil painting but didn’t have the patience, you can’t enjoy it, you have to sit and look at it for weeks. Whereas acrylic is great, it dries so quickly and you can enjoy it,” he said.
Now you can enjoy his artwork too, the exhibition will kick off with a special opening on Monday, October 9 between 5 and 7pm in Charley’s Café, Letterkenny.
Charley’s Cafe has been the hub of the community Tommy lived and worked in for as long as he can remember.
Although these past few years he has taken a step back from that community, he can still step into Charley’s Cafe and be part of it once again.
20 per cent of all the profit from the exhibition will be donated to the Donegal branch of MS Ireland.
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