Donal’s first foray into life as a musician came as a child, performing many times with the Tallaght Boys Choir, including several performances of Handel’s Messiah in the National Concert Hall. Early grades in piano followed, but like many of us, he first picked up a guitar in his teens, and decided that was the one for him. He has and has been playing and recording with different bands ever since.
Having been fearful of following his first love as a career after school, Donal achieved an honours degree in Business Studies from DIT, which came in a nice frame that he now uses to display a picture of Eddie Van Halen.
During his ten successful years in the corporate sector, during which he covered a lot of air miles – enough to get one of those cards for the lounge at the airport - Donal decided he needed to get serious about his music qualifications. He completed his London College of Music exams to Grade 8 level in both electric and acoustic guitar. Since then, he has attained a Licentiate Diploma in Music Teaching and an Associate Diploma in Electric Guitar Performance from the LCM, and a Diploma in Electric Guitar Performance from Rockschool. He specialises in rock & blues, and arguing that even though they’re considered the greatest band in history, The Beatles still don’t get enough credit for what they achieved. He teaches acoustic and electric guitar and ukulele at the Dublin School of Music.
