Aslan lead singer Christy Dignam has opened up about life and death in an exclusive interview with Ryan Tubridy.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio One, Dignam revealed that he feels like he still has a more to do in life.
The 62-year-old is in palliative care being treated for amyloidosis, a rare blood disorder associated with certain cancers, which causes an abnormal protein to build up in the body, leading to organ failure.
"When I look back on my life, I've had a very full life," he told Tubridy.
"I've done an awful lot and I've still a little bit more to do. "
"Until my heart stops I'm going to keep trying to do that. "
"I've still a little bit more to do and until me heart stops I'm going to keep trying to do that." ❤️
Ryan sat down with Christy Dignam to talk about Aslan, life, love and death as he enters palliative care. https://t.co/4RYyWjvVaT@RyanTubridyShow pic.twitter.com/CALlI7T4Ye— RTÉ Radio 1 (@RTERadio1) April 17, 2023
Christy Dignam speaks about his daughter
Dignam also spoke movingly about his daughter Kiera, who he hopes will carry on his legacy into the future.
“If I was looking down from, if there was a heaven, I would dearly love Kiera to carry my legacy," he said.
"Because if there is anyone on earth that has a right to sing those songs, it would be her, do you know what I mean. So that’s a big vibe with me.”
"In some ways, she’s been unlucky being my daughter, because people might think that’s the only ’cause she’s Christy’s daughter’, but she has a real talent."
During the show Christy's stunning rendition of 'Green Fields of France' with Finbar Furey which they performed on 'The Late Late Show' in 2017 was played. The video has over 16m views. A song from his solo album entitled 'Song for Kathryn' featuring Imelda May was also played. It is named after his wife.
His funeral was also discussed in the wide-ranging interview which he wants to be a simple occassion.
“I would rather just die. David Bowie’s was the best funeral ever, you know. You just die and get cremated and that’s it. Nobody knew where it was, who it was. Do you know what I mean, he was just gone and that’s it, just a little puff of smoke.
"That’s the way I would like it. Because you know I don’t want to be sitting and with everybody [at the wake] and people saying ‘oh, he is freezing!’”
Dignam also told Tubridy that he gets "very scared".
“I’m happy and I get very sad and I get very scared. You know the thing about this diagnosis, anybody with cancer actually, that’s why I used to love listening to Vicky Phelan because when you do get into a particular emotion, you get into it."
"You don’t do it by halves, do you know what I mean? Because everything is so serious. There’s no time for bullshit.”
You can listen to the full interview here.
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