Oisin Devine.
BY HARRY WALSH
A LETTERKENNY student has created a CD containing original songs and the writings of Baha’u’llah to help finance a year-long trip to work at the Baha’i World Centre in Israel. Oisín Devine (18) from Lismonaghan will launch his CD ‘Essence of Light’ in Cafe Blend tomorrow evening, Friday, at 8pm.
Next week he travels to the Haifa/Akka area in Israel to work as a security officer at the Baha’i World Centre. He follows in the footsteps of his older brother Ara who spent 12 months there three years ago.
A former student at Coláiste Ailigh, he sat his Leaving Certificate exams this year. He has been offered a place at UCD – a position he has deferred for a year.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Oisín said that he was looking forward to the new adventure.
“I travel to Haifa next Wednesday to do some volunteering work – a Year of Service. I will be joined at the Baha’i World Centre by young people from all over the world.
He added: “We will be charged with looking after the extensive gardens and providing security. We’ll get two weeks training after which we’ll act as security guides – telling tourists what they can and cannot do safely,” he added.
With more than five million followers throughout the world, the Baha’i Faith is among the fastest-growing of the world’s religions although there are less than twenty Baha’s in Donegal.
These include Oisín’s parents, Declan and Donna, his older brother Ara and younger sister Bahíyyih. “Bahíyyih travels to London next week to attend a youth conference which she will meet up with thousands of young followers from 113 countries,” Oisín’s father said.
A talented musician, Oisín has received more than 150,000 hits on ‘You Tube’ for cover songs he has posted on the social media site.
‘Essence of Light’ has been a true labour of love for Oisín over the past year, and he hopes that everyone who buys the CD, price €10, will enjoy listening to it.
He will be joined in Cafe Blend tonight by a number of young local musicians including Joanne Cuffe on violin.