Donegal based music journalist Donal O'Boyle contracted polio when he was only a few months old. He spent 13 years of his life in hospital, only learning to walk when he was 20 years old.
With very little formal education Donal O’Boyle is understandably proud of his achievement in making a career as a journalist. In this extract from ‘Not Out of Charity Not Out Of Pity’ he talks about being a ‘pop columnist’ and how he started off in the music business.
Donal O’Boyle goes to a dance to see The Finnavons showband performing, as he feels it is impossible to write about a band’s sound and image if he has not been to see them play live. After the show he interviews the Finnavons singer TR Dallas using a portable tape recorder.
Following years of confinement in hospital, O’Boyle relishes all the travelling and late nights associated with his profession. He also enjoys meeting other young people saying
You’re not a disabled when you’re among them, your one of them and your treated as one of them which indeed is a good thing.
This episode of the series Report ‘Not Out of Charity Not Out Of Pity’ was broadcast on 10 December 1970. The reporter is Patrick Gallagher.
