Brendan O'Dowda

O'Dowda was born in Dundalk, County Louth and was educated at the De la Salle Brothers' school in the town.

Under O'Brien's tutelage, O'Dowda developed a fine tenor voice of his own and began to perform at charity events throughout the country.

[2] Although offered a career in opera, O'Dowda was drawn to popular music and, in the early 1950s, he moved to England in order to advance his prospects.

[citation needed][3] This marriage ended in divorce and O'Dowda later married June Nadine, a dancer with the Tiller girls, who bore him two sons, Brendan and Ciaran.

[2] Brendan O'Dowda died in hospital near his home in Fareham, England at the age of 76, and is buried in Esker Cemetery, Lucan, County Dublin.