MUSICIAN NICK Kelly lost his father, former Attorney General and Fine Gael TD John Kelly, more than 18 years ago to a sudden heart attack.
As a tribute to him, Mr Kelly has worked with 10 west of Ireland musicians on a new CD album which aims to raise awareness about and raise funds for the treatment of heart disease.
The Saw Doctors, Tommy Fleming, Gemma Hayes and Arkitekt are among the collaborators on the CD, entitled Heartland, which was released officially in Galway at the weekend.
The initiative is backed by Croí, the west of Ireland cardiology foundation, and some 80 people who have had heart disease attended a function to highlight the campaign and publicise the CD.
"It seemed like the right thing to do," Mr Kelly, founder of The Fat Lady Sings and now a successful solo artist and film-maker, told The Irish Times."I was approached by Sue Hennessy, a fan of my music who has worked with the cardiology unit at University College Hospital, Galway [UCHG]. She had remembered that I had told her about my father."
Many tributes were paid to the late John Kelly after his sudden death in 1991. He had not only served as a Fine Gael TD from 1973, but was also professor of constitutional law, Roman law and jurisprudence at UCD, and author of the standard text on the Constitution.
The musicians who worked with Nick Kelly come from 10 counties served by UCHG’s new cardiothoracic unit. Others include Cora Smyth, Davy Spillane and The Screaming Orphans, while Kelly contributed a bonus 11th track. Funds from the sales of the CD will go towards the cardiothoracic unit.
- Heartlandis on sale at €15 from music outlets or from Croí at tel: 091-544310 or www.Croi.ie
