Brendan O'Dowda

Brendan O'Dowda (1 October 1925 – 22 February 2002) was an Irish tenor who popularised the songs of Percy French.

Early life O'Dowda was born in Dundalk, County Louth and was educated at the De la Salle Brothers' school in the town. His early promise as a singer brought him to the attention of Dr. Vincent O'Brien, who had coached tenor John McCormack. 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.

Career 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. Subsequently, he enjoyed solo success on BBC Radio, guesting on programmes such as Just A Song At Twilight and Music for You. Such was its success that he followed it in 1958 with The Immortal Percy French, an album devoted entirely to the work of the Irish songwriter. In 1981, his biography of the composer, The World of Percy French, was published. He toured the US, appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show. He appeared in the 1959 film Alive and Kicking as one of the three singers of the title song. He performed a duet with Ruby Murray on the soundtrack of the 1959 film Darby O'Gill and the Little People. His grandson Callum O'Dowda is a professional footballer who plays for Hungarian club Ferencvaros and the Republic of Ireland national football team.