Dessie O’Halloran is relaxing in his favourite spot in Tí Choilí’s bar on Mainguard Street in the heart of Galway City, sipping a pint of Guinness. It’s where the Inishbofin-born singer normally holds court when he’s not on at home on the island or touring, either with Sharon Shannon’s Big Band or the Cunningham dancing family with their show, Fuaim Chonamara.

But on Saturday night Desmond, as he is known on Bofin, held court in Fagan’s Bar at the Meyrick Hotel where he was joined by hundreds of friends and acquaintances for a celebration to mark his 70th birthday.

No surprise that it was full of musicians – Sharon Shannon, Joe Burke, Anne Conroy Burke, Frankie Gavin, Matt Keane, Mary Staunton, Tommy McCarthy, Mick Crehan, Gerry Hanley, Rosie Stewart and Dick Hogan being among those who attended.

But his well-wishers also included jockeys Ruby Walsh, Barry Geraghty and David Casey, as well as politicians, most notably former Marine Minister Frank Fahey and former Mayor of Galway Pádraig Conneely.

“It was a great night,” says Desmond, whose birthday fell on Sunday, August 29. In spite of his age, and perhaps given that he only really began to take his singing career seriously when he was in his late 50s, he has no plan to hang up his fiddle any time soon.

“The Cunninghams have a fair bit [of work] lined up,” he says, “and I have a good few gigs with Sharon.”

In addition, his voice will be heard on a new CD to be released later this month, of songs and tunes recorded around Cleggan in the 1950s. A 16-year-old Desmond can be heard singing The Black Velvet Ribbon (a song which was later recorded by the Dubliners as The Black Velvet Band) and Caroline from Edinburgh Town. There might yet be a third song on the double CD, he’s not sure yet.

“I was only 16, so I’m singing like a girl!”he laughs. Fifty four years later he is still happy to take centre stage, and in addition to working with Sharon Shannon and the Cunninghams, is a regular at festivals in Louisburg in Mayo and Castleisland in Kerry. A large contingent from Castleisland attended Saturday night’s party.

The event was co-organised by island woman Rita Burke, who works in the Meyrick, and by fellow musician Liz Hanrahan, who is related to him by marriage, and it was a sweet celebration for Desmond, who spent his 67th birthday in hospital at UHG where he was being treated for cancer. Fortunately, he has recovered well and is now in great form.

“I don’t know how,” he laughs. It must be the Guinness, it isn’t from eating anyway!”

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.