Leading Dublin singer songwriter Damien Dempsey will play a charity gig with pupils from Galway Community College in aid of PREDA in The Warwick Hotel on Thursday 28 February at 8pm. Lisa Regan talks to the man who loves to jump in at the deep end, especially off the diving board in Salthill.

Damien, how did you come across and begin to work PREDA and Fr Shay?

Well I was flying to London on an Aer Lingus flight and I picked up their in-flight Cara Magazine. There was an article about Fr Shay in it. He struck me as a warrior monk. He is a great antidote to the church and all the bad things that happened in Ireland in relation to the church. He reminded me of the great people of Ireland who have true Christianity, like the older people who live by the code and don't pass judgement. Then I was playing a gig in the Róisín Dubh in Galway and before the gig I did a radio interview and Philip Cribbin heard it and got in touch with me. It was a pure chance meeting but I do think it was meant to be.

PREDA is fast gaining ground with support from people like Martin Sheen and James Cromwell. How do you feel about being associated with such people and such a project?

It feels amazing; these men like myself have a visualisation for PREDA that it can be a growing entity. It has the ability to spread across the poorer countries of the world and really make a difference.

What can people expect from your Galway concert 'End Child Slavery' in aid of PREDA?

I will give it me usual 110 per cent. I will be really hoping to get the crowd in on the act, however. Sure, I will give it a good oul lash I, suppose!

Will you do anything different in preparing yourself for this special Galway show?

Actually I will probably head out to Salthill for a dip off Blackrock. I will head off the diving board out there. I was out in Howth last month, so I am as prepared as I can be for the coldness of it!

Do you think artists are doing enough in raising concerns about issues such as homelessness and children who are being deprived of their basic rights in the Philippines and around the world?

I think there is more that can be done. Artists have a great opportunity to make a difference. As young people are impressionable, let's try to give them a good message instead of something negative. I think the Government could be doing more to support these projects and in supporting what the artists are trying to do.

Are you excited to work with the students from Galway schools?

I am excited; I haven't met them yet but, sure, it will be great. I love coming down to Galway; it's just got such a great vibe, almost bohemian like. I used to always go to Salthill on me holidays.

You have been described as a 'phenomenal voice' by the Sunday Times, while the Irish American News has said 'the future of Irish song writing is in good hands'. Has this acclaim changed your writing style or your music?

I don't really take much notice of reviews, but it does help your confidence. I just try to concentrate on writing new material and to alter my songs' styles. I hope each one I write is better than the last, you know.

You have collaborated and worked with some of the finest singers in the business, including Sinead O'Connor and Bob Dylan. If you could work with any other artist, who would it be?

It would be Phil Lynott and Luke Kelly. They are my heroes. Phil, as he was a proud Irish black man with an unbelievable talent and, sure, Luke's passion and his voice is just class.