Liam Conwell.
BY SEÁN P. FEENY
A TYRONE singer with close connections to Donegal who developed bronchitis as a result of his lifelong struggle with asthma, will launch his first ever single later this month to raise money for asthma research.
Liam Conwell from Strabane has a target of £2,000 which he wants to raise through sales of Destination Donegal, a song written by the late Donegal songwriter, Johnny McCauley from Fahan, who passed away in 2012.
The Tyrone man recorded the charity single at John Dolan’s Tracks Recording Studios in Ballindrait. “It was very exciting doing the recording and John was so helpful and put me at ease in the studio. The recording didn’t take long and I was delighted when john rang me a few days later and said ‘Liam, your CD is ready’.
“I felt joyful with elated emotion when that phone call came as I knew I had now recorded a song which I loved and was very much close to my heart,” he said.
Liam chose the song as he has very close ties to the county. His late mother was Evelyn Conwell (nee Duggan) from Tory Island.
He still has lot of family relations living on Tory, Cloughaneely, Letterkenny and Termon many of whom are going to his upcoming launch night.
“I’m doing this because asthma has affected my own quality of life since childhood and I wanted to help people with the condition by recording my first CD.
“A lot of the donations I have so far are mostly from people in the community and close relatives. I’m hoping that the launch will get the single more attention,” Liam said.
Liam will perform his song Destination Donegal live at the launch night in St Pat’s Hall, Strabane on Saturday, July 26 from 8pm. Music on the night will also be provided by Tory Island born Martin Duggan and his band.
A prize draw will also be held on the night. Admission £10: This includes CD, buffet meal and a night’s musical entertainment. Proceeds on the night will be donated to Asthma UK, Strabane Health Centre and the Asthma Society Of Ireland.