“Since I was a child, I’ve loved music. My dad and other family members are very musical, so I was always surrounded by music growing up. I got my first decks when I was 16. Back then, you had to play all the songs through CDs. I’d play the decks in my room pretending I was a big DJ.  Tiësto and Calvin Harris were big inspirations.  Their music motivated me to get out of my bedroom and into the world.

My dad started the Rockfall music festival to raise funds for Enable Ireland Kilkenny Services in 1989. The music festival took place over the bank holiday weekend in October. On the Bank Holiday Monday, they had a music marathon. In 2010 my dad asked me to play the music between the bands. There were about 300 people there. It was great. After that, I started organising shows with other DJs, as part of Rockfall, to help raise more money.

About a year later, after my first gig at Rockfall, I was on a stag party in Spain. On the second night, we went to one of the biggest nightclubs in Europe where Calvin Harris was playing. I was lucky enough to meet Calvin Harris’s agent. He heard that I was a DJ and offered me the chance to DJ after Calvin Harris. There was no doubt in my mind! I finished the night by playing a 30-minute set in front of over 4,500 people. It blew my mind. I came home and told everybody!

After playing with Calvin Harris, I decided to take DJing more seriously. I created my website with a friend, and that’s really where my DJ journey started. My DJing has taken me across Ireland, I’ve played at venues like D8 in The Garden. In 2015, I entered Europe’s largest DJ competition. My DJ mix was shortlisted for the competition's grand finale at the Button Factory in Dublin. The night went well, and I placed 4th in the competition. That was a huge accomplishment for me.

Through my DJing, I’ve been fortunate to play for and meet some iconic figures. Sports personalities like legendary boxer Ricky Hatton and Irish rugby player Peter Stringer. Musicians, including Danny O’Reilly from The Coronas and Gavin James. I even had the chance to play with Mark McCabe AKA The Maniac! I’ve played at staff parties, corporate parties, and family parties.

But I’m most proud of all the fundraising shows that I’ve organised for disability charities over the years. I’ve organised at least one show a year for the last fifteen years. For these shows, I’ve managed to secure big names in Ireland, like Orla Feeney and John Gibbons. They’re some of the biggest DJs in Ireland, and I managed to get them playing for free. That was a big achievement for me. Their generosity meant all funds raised from my shows have gone directly to the chosen disability charities.  Through this work, I hope I have improved disability awareness and made a difference. I was delighted to play my last show in support of Enable Ireland.

Although I’ve hung up my headphones for now, due to health challenges, the music isn’t stopping. My friend, who is a music producer, has asked me to work on some songs for him. So, I’m still making music. ‘Improve Your Groove’, which is my record label, continues to grow as well.

For anyone who wants to become a DJ, I’d say go for it. Whether you’re able-bodied or live with a disability, if you want to be a DJ, don’t let anything get in your way. Save a bit of money and buy a small DJ deck. It could even be your radio. Pretend you’re a DJ playing on the radio and go from there. Work your way up and believe in yourself. It took me 20 years, but I got there and I’ve loved every minute of it!”