Creative Places Tuam is delighted to present the Tuam Artist Spotlight, a rolling programme celebrating the artists, makers, musicians, performers, writers, filmmakers, creatives and cultural contributors living and working in Tuam and its surrounding areas.
The Tuam Artist Spotlight features a two-week public display in the windows of Connaughtons on Shop Street, an online Artist Spotlight profile shared across Creative Places Tuam’s website and social media channels, and a fun and informative artist interview, which you can read below.
Artist Spotlight: Darragh O’Dea
Click here to stream Darragh’s new album.
Click here to visit Darragh’s website.
Follow Darragh on Facebook: Darragh O’Dea Music
Follow Darragh on Instagram: @darragh_odea_music
Check out Darragh’s Music Videos:
Darragh O’Dea | Take Her Handy feat. Anthony Thistlethwaite
Darragh O’Dea (Feat. Katherine Priddy) | Guerrilla Warfare In Your Back Garden
Live performances by Darragh:
Darragh O’Dea – Split The Difference (La Résistance) – Live At Galway Bay FM
Exclusive AUK Mini-Gig: Darragh O’Dea
Get to know Darragh:
Darragh O’Dea is a Tuam born and based songwriter whose reflective writing blends vivid narrative detail with an ever-evolving, contemporary sound. Since releasing his debut solo EP, The Mary Robinson EP (2018), he has steadily developed a reputation for warm, perceptive songwriting and a distinctive lyrical voice.
His debut album, Tilly & The Postmaster (2021), earned critical acclaim for its emotional depth and its ability to capture personal history with clarity and compassion. Named in honour of his grandparents, the record established O’Dea as a thoughtful chronicler of everyday lives and quiet, resonant moments.
O’Dea’s second album, I Am Drunk And Feel The Earth Is Worth Living (Released August 7th, 2026), marks his most exploratory work to date. Created with Canadian musician producer Rob Butterfield and recorded between Galiano Island, BC and Taum, the album embraces a more expressive, unfettered sound while retaining his poignant songwriting at the core of his work, and drawing on influences such as Leonard Cohen, John Cale and Wilco.
Darragh has received airplay on BBC Radio and RTÉ Radio 1, and has performed at the Moseley Folk Festival, Galway Arts Festival Big Top, Whelan’s, the Eventim Apollo and regular tours across Europe.
Darragh recently launch his new album with a gig in Campbells Tavern, Cloughanover.
Reviews
“Not a lot of music holds the determination and depth Darragh O’Dea shows on this album. This is a record for anyone who appreciates the power of music – to expose, to endure and in the end, to provide hope” – KLOF Mag
“A song-writing maturity and lyrical sensitivity that sets him apart from many of his contemporaries” – Cian O’Connell (Connacht Tribune)
“A brilliant storytelling songsmith” – Peter O’Neill (Hot Press Music Magazine)
“I like this guy’s sound a lot, he’s got a bright future” – John Creedon (RTÉ Radio 1)
“Deliciously uncool in a heart on sleeve way” – Donal Scannell (Born Optimistic)
Quick-fire Questions with Darragh
Describe your creative practice in three words.
Live. Laugh. Love.
What is one thing you can’t work without?
A deadline.
If your creative work had a soundtrack, what would be playing?
Right now, it would be the Leonard Cohen album “Death of A Ladies’ Man”.
What’s the most underrated thing about Tuam?
The library.
If you could put one piece of art anywhere in town, where would it go?
A portrait of Tom Murphy on Shop Street. On the side of the current unused building on the river.
What is your completely useless talent?
I have the amazing ability of walking into a room for something and immediately forgetting why I went there.
What food could you eat every day?
Pad Kra Pao (Thai dish).
What song are you currently obsessed with?
Stumblin’ In by Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman.
What does success look like to you?
Contentment in the completion of a project, and excitement to start something brand new.
What talent would you most like to have?
Drawing.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Time to grow up now sham.
What do you wish people understood about artists?
We come in peace.
If your art practice was an animal, what would it be?
A red panda.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Time to grow up now sham.
