Wednesday 28 January 2026: Mr Daryl Simpson
The expression “local lad made good” is one that rests comfortably on Daryl Simpson, a distinguished member of the Celtic Tenors and singer and musician in his own right. Following A-levels in Omagh Academy, Daryl progressed to the Queens University, Belfast where he took a degree in Music before embracing the challenge of becoming an opera singer. During the seven years of training which this required, Daryl travelled all over Europe perfecting his voice and studying drama, dance, fencing and all the other stage crafts which underpin classical opera. In the course of his travels, he met and was was encouraged by some of the great tenors of the modern era including Placido Domingo.
Daryl’s talk was as much a Masterclass in singing, as it was about his career since graduating. Many times during his talk he reached for his guitar to sing phrases from different operas by different composers to demonstrate the variety of vocal techniques required to perform in front of live audiences in large concert halls. He also explained how making records had changed over the years and how today computers can digitally enhance performance.
Daryl has been a member of the Celtic Tenors for nigh on twenty years, a trio of Irish tenors who have travelled widely bringing classical and traditional music to audiences around the world. Wherever they perform the group is invariably requested to sing Nessun Dorma, an aria from Italian opera, ever associated with Pavarotti. The high notes at the end represent a pinnacle of achievement for all would-be tenors, and Daryl proved his talent and stature by hitting them in Omagh Golf Cub to an audience of very impressed and appreciative club members.
In a lively question and answer session his role in the formation of the Omagh Community Choir in 1998 following the Omagh Bomb was acknowledged and applauded. He was thanked for a fascinating and memorable presentation by Club Member, Eamon Cunningham.