Q & A with Colm Wilkinson
- Eleanor McGrath, (former) Director The Ireland Fund of Canada

Since the start of his career in the 1970’s, Colm Wilkinson’s life has always been surrounded by music. The celebrated Irish Broadway star has spent years on the stage, mesmerizing audiences with his starring roles in Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera. Now, with the release of his latest solo album Some of My Best Friends Are Songs and his accompanying stage show of the same name, he is set to do a concert tour and entertain audiences once again.

How did you become involved with The Ireland Funds?
My first encounter with The Ireland Funds was an invitation from [Sir] Tony O’Reilly to perform at Merv Griffin’s “Irish Person of the Year” Gala in Los Angeles in 1987 and then as the Guest of Honor at the Toronto Emerald Ball in 1989. Most recently, it was through my friend in Canada, Robert Kearns that I became involved with The Ireland Funds again. Our focus was to support the University of St. Michaels College Celtic Studies Program in Toronto and other charities close to my heart, which were supported by The Ireland Fund of Canada (IFC) through my concert in Spring 2003.

Where did you develop you philanthropic nature?
I loved growing up as part of a family of ten—with 6 sisters. My wife Deirdre and I have four children, which seems small in comparison! Today it is a large extended family and affectionately known as the “Wilkinson Mafia”. Certainly growing up in Ireland, in a large family we were taught to think of others and it is something I encourage my children to do.

I encourage my children to give back to society because I really believe in the law of Karma—that what you sow, you reap. I tell my children to pursue their work from the heart and not from the head. Success will come with the love and passion they bring to their chosen profession. But I also tell them that giving should be a part of their mission in life. If you go after what you love in life you will be at peace with yourself and those around you.

You are a proud Irishman…
I am very proud to be Irish. Being Irish in Ireland is not the same as being Irish in Canada. When you live abroad you have a much stronger awareness of your cultural identity and carry it throughout every aspect of your life. I have been very fortunate to work with people of all faiths and nationalities in Canada but it is imperative not to lose your own Irish identity. In this global village my Irishness is my core, my strength and I never let it go.

Integrated Education in Northern Ireland has always been a focal area for The Funds. Any thoughts?
My father was from Northern Ireland and my mother from Southern Ireland and hence the peace process is very relevant and important to me. The bottom line is that even though there continue to be problems we must never give up on the peace process. If we can bring the children together we have the key to the future and that is where we should concentrate our efforts. If you can change the attitude of the children you will change Northern Ireland in the long-term.

You continue to connect people to causes dear to you and your family…
Music has no borders or boundaries, and art is about revealing and healing. That is what I try to do in a small way with my songs. Remember the young, remember the elderly; they are both the future and the past. It is not all about money; it is about being there – making a phone call and making a difference. I know that the IFC [Ireland Fund of Canada] is committed to peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and that is something I endorse completely in my music.

Colm Wilkinson was Special Guest at The Worldwide Ireland Funds Annual Conference in June 2004 during his Irish Tour.

Check www.colmwilkinson.com for upcoming dates.

This article first appeared in Connect Summerr 2004 issue