Christy Dignam: A difficult life marked by abuse, but he found solace in music

Christy Dignam said his addictions were sparked by childhood trauma, but even in his darkest days music was a huge part of his life

Tue, 13 Jun, 2023 - 18:05

Richard Fitzpatrick

Christy Dignam, who was born 23 May 1960, liked to recall his unorthodox introduction to music growing up in Finglas, Dublin. His father loved opera music, in particular the tenors John McCormack and Enrico Caruso. He had a habit of singing their opera songs while he was making the family – which included Dignam’s five siblings – their dinner on a Sunday.

“I remember going on the street, as a kid, singing these songs because I knew them from me da. I thought that was Top of the Pops,” remembered Dignam. It instilled in him a lifelong love of opera music. Dignam took bel canto singing lessons for about 15 years, a practice of continuous learning which began just as his career in music was taking off.