A pint with...

Passionate about music, history and politics, Damien Dempsey is an Irishman of the old school. JOE meets Damo as he prepares to step into film.

By William Nestor

He may be a Marmite performer for some, but Damien Dempsey wouldn't be the type to be overly concerned with the views of his critics. His music has taken him from Dublin Town to touring the US with Morrissey and now he has jumped at the chance to make a break onto the big screen.

Between The Canals, delivered to us from the Irish Film Board, follows three small time criminals from Dublin's north inner city as they each aspire to be somebody in a fast-changing society.

Dempsey's participation in the film triggered instant interest and JOE caught up with the Irish singer-songwriter to hear about his acting debut, voting left wing and combating racism in Ireland.

JOE: How's things Damien. So, you’re an actor now. How did that come about?

Damien Dempsey: I never envisaged myself as doing any acting. The director approached me and asked me to do it. He was adamant that I should have a look at it, so I went to a meeting. I didn’t think I’d be any use at acting, I thought I’d be a bit too wooden, but he convinced me I could do it.

JOE: So you won’t be hopping it over to LA anytime soon then?

DD: No. [Laughs] Well, I haven’t got any offers yet anyway. I don’t think I’d be versatile enough as an actor. I didn’t think I’d be able to do that part but it went alright.

JOE: Between the Canals could be described as portraying the stereotypical lifestyle of Dublin youths caught up in underworld activities. As a Dublin man was that something you were eager to highlight?

DD: I suppose it’s fairly prevalent at the moment. That’s the life some young men are leading in towns and cities around the country. Even in smaller country towns there are a lot of young men getting into drugs and dealing and gangs. There’s nowhere in Ireland untouched by this sort of stuff right now.

Between the Canals trailer:

JOE: So did you get to the polling station last week?

DD: I did yeah.

JOE: And how did you vote?

DD: I went Labour and Sinn Fein.

JOE: What’s your take on the outcome?

DD: We have a few people a bit left wing that might keep the Fine Gaelers from privatising the whole country. It’s a nice slap in the face for Fianna Fáil. I think they deserved that. They were so arrogant and blasé. The amount of pay rises they took was ridiculous; I think it was 12 they gave themselves in 2001. They were taking the piss really, you know.

JOE: Do you think Sinn Fein will ever get into power?

DD: I’d say they might do. They keep getting stronger and stronger. The ones I know are great fellas. Larry O’Toole is in my neighbourhood and out of all the politicians I’ve seen he’s done the most work.

Dempsey on Irish history, racism and dealing with negativity