About Donal
I am a son of the late Dan and Maureen Morrissey from Ballycrogue,Carlow. My dad founded a very progressive company, Dan Morrissey Limited, manufacturing and supplying products to the building industry, road making materials, and farming. I joined the family business in my early twenties. We were very successful in growing the businesses over the next twenty years.
In my early forties I decided, to sell my shares back to the group and start my own businesses. I started in concrete products, and shortly after, we set up the Lismard Group to buy and develop properties.
I am married to Breda, and we have a family of five, four daughters and one son. As a family business, we founded Mount Wolseley Hotel,Golf & Country Club. We, also founded Portlaoise Retail Park, Lismard Business Park, and Lismard Court Offices. Lismard Developments Unlimited is now the main business, securing our family, thank God.
The name Lismard, is taken from the Christian names of our family; Li-sa, S-andra, Ma-ry, Annma-r-ie and D-on.
Thank you for reading my story. I hope you enjoy my songs.
Donal & John | Twins Story
When my twin brother John and I were students, we studied music with a view to a career in the music industry. We were big fans of Cliff Richard and the Shadows, and the Beatles. I remember when Cliff Richard and the Shadows played in the Adelphi in Middle Abbey Street, Dublin. John and I had just qualified for our first driving licences, so we had our maiden journey to the concert.
At the concert, we were not happy with the screaming fans. We wanted to hear, every note played and lyric sung, I remember when Hank Marvin, the lead guitarist announced he was going to play one of his favourite solos, Maria Elena, and he asked for still silence. That was the real highlight of the night for us, to hear his rendition of that beautiful melody by Lorenzo Barcelata, his most famous composition, and to clearly hear every note was special, John was the Hank Marvin, lead guitarist and I was Bruce Welch, the rhythm guitarist. We were trained by the Jennings School of Music, in theory and practice for four years. Our trainer felt that we were at the level where we needed management.
But dad was not exactly happy with our career choice. Over a period, he encouraged us to join the family business and family farming. John and I, firmly resolved, that we would return to our music studies in our retirement.
Sadly, my twin John passed away suddenly in 2009. I was devastated to lose my soul friend and my other half. I was so, looking forward to having John with me on our retirement music plan. I honour my late twin John, and his wife Elsie, as founding credits, and family, Gary, Elizabeth, Grace, Mark and Katryn with my song, My Twin John.
I retired in 2014, and I have returned to my music studies which I enjoy very much. I am a student of Rory Pierce. He is also my arranger and producer.
Thank you for reading the twin’s story. I hope you enjoy my songs.
Donal & John | Twins Story
When my twin brother John and I were students, we studied music with a view to a career in the music industry. We were big fans of Cliff Richard and the Shadows, and the Beatles. I remember when Cliff Richard and the Shadows played in the Adelphi in Middle Abbey Street, Dublin. John and I had just qualified for our first driving licences, so we had our maiden journey to the concert.
At the concert, we were not happy with the screaming fans. We wanted to hear, every note played and lyric sung, I remember when Hank Marvin, the lead guitarist announced he was going to play one of his favourite solos, Maria Elena, and he asked for still silence. That was the real highlight of the night for us, to hear his rendition of that beautiful melody by Lorenzo Barcelata, his most famous composition, and to clearly hear every note was special, John was the Hank Marvin, lead guitarist and I was Bruce Welch, the rhythm guitarist. We were trained by the Jennings School of Music, in theory and practice for four years. Our trainer felt that we were at the level where we needed management.
But dad was not exactly happy with our career choice. Over a period, he encouraged us to join the family business and family farming. John and I, firmly resolved, that we would return to our music studies in our retirement.
Sadly, my twin John passed away suddenly in 2009. I was devastated to lose my soul friend and my other half. I was so, looking forward to having John with me on our retirement music plan. I honour my late twin John, and his wife Elsie, as founding credits, and family, Gary, Elizabeth, Grace, Mark and Katryn with my song, My Twin John.
I retired in 2014, and I have returned to my music studies which I enjoy very much. I am a student of Rory Pierce. He is also my arranger and producer.
Thank you for reading the twin’s story. I hope you enjoy my songs.
