What a difference a day makes: On a trip to Berlin I met the love of my life

Aran Island singer-songwriter Padraig Jack tells Helen O’Callaghan about a pivotal trip to Berlin 10 years ago, where he committed fully to music, forged closer bonds with four fellow-musicians – and met the love of his life.

Padraig Jack, singer-songwriter in Galway. Photo: Hany Marzouk

A trip to Berlin the week before my 30th birthday in July 2014 was a turning point.

It was a three-day trip and there were five of us, all musicians and songwriters — we used to attend open-mic sessions in Galway.