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Greencastle fisherman donates CD
cash
21.07.09
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'Man of the Sea' raises
€15,000
by Linda McGrory
"DURING your lifetime, you can't just keep taking.
You have to think of other people and give something
back."
Such are the sentiments of Greencastle fisherman
Michael Cavanagh who has done just that and donated
€15,144 to three grateful local causes.
The staggering sum was raised in just under a year
through sales of Michael's CD 'Man of the Sea'. The
disc features seven uplifting Gospel songs - all
written and performed by Michael himself. The
recording at Maymore Studios in St Johnston was
self-financed by the well-known fisherman, who has
fished for 30 years out of Killybegs on his 45,000
tonne trawler 'Father McKee'. The boat also features
on the cover of 'Man of the Sea'. |
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"The CD was launched on
August 25, 2008 on the Packie Keeney Show on
Highland Radio. It was available in a number of
shops locally and the fishing fraternity bought it
in their droves. Sales were particularly good in
Killybegs," explained Michael. This can partly be
explained by the fact that the Greencastle man has
sung at the Killybegs Blessing of the Fleet ceremony
on August 1, for the past 22 years. The CD sold more
than 1,000 copies at €15 each. Curiously too, over
100 copies were sold by a local fisherman in
Fraserborough, Scotland, who received a copy,
listened to it and was inspired to help Michael in
his fundraising. The recording has also been carried
on the wave of goodwill to North Korea, the
Caribbean, Denmark and the Faroe Islands.
The three local beneficiaries, who each received
cheques for €5,048, are Greencastle Coast Guard, the
Greencastle-Moville branch of the RNLI and the
Donegal Hospice.
"In my line of work the Coast Guard and RNLI are two
organisations I'm likely to need while a couple of
people in our family circle have died from cancer."
This is the first time Michael has made a recording
despite writing and singing songs for many years.
The seven songs on the CD were all written in the
last decade and he admits to having a favourite
track, namely, 'Through the Eyes of a Stranger'. He
is justifiably proud of his achievement,
particularly as an amateur musician, and is
delighted his songs managed to raise so much money
for good causes. "I'm really grateful to everyone
who bought the CD and to Highland Radio and
Inishowen Community Radio for their regular
airplay," he said. He said he would consider a
reissue of the album if there is demand for it in
the future.
Meanwhile, Greencastle Coast Guard
officer-in-charge, Charles Cavanagh, local RNLI
member John McClenaghan and Andy Boyle of the
Donegal Hospice called to the local harbour last
Wednesday for the cheque presentation ceremony. All
three thanked the veteran seaman for his generosity
and said they were delighted at the level of the
donation - much needed in these recessionary times. |
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