150. Radio Drama: David O’Driscoll

David, a Watch Officer with the Irish Coast Guard, knows exactly how it feels to listen to the radio for news of a loved one who’s out at sea. As a boy, he was the one listening

When David O’Driscoll was a child, he and his family would gather round his grandmother’s kitchen table to listen to radio exchanges between the Coast Guard and his father, who – as an RNLI coxswain – was out on another rescue. Looking back, he is reminded of a line from the Phil Coulter song Home from the Sea: ‘They gathered in pairs at the foot of the stairs to wait for the radio call.’

David wondered who the other voice belonged to. Today, in his role as Watch Officer in Valentia, he is that voice. His grandmother still listens for updates – but nowadays, it’s David she hears on the radio.

200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI   

Interview by Adventurous Audio 

Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls   

The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200