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Conference Facilitator

CONFERENCE FACILITATOR Anton Savage

Anton is currently Director of The Communications Clinic. Previously General Manager Carr Communications. Head of Public Relations Carr Communications. Anton has advised clients ranging from Cabinet Ministers, the CEO’s and Chairpersons of some of Ireland’s largest PLC’s through to members of the Catholic Hierarchy and CEO’s of global charities. Anton has lectured in NUIG, Smurfit Business School and The Irish Defence Forces Command and Staff School. He has been a columnist with Sunday Independent, freelance contributor to the Irish Independent, Irish Daily Mail, Irish Mail on Sunday, and The Herald and has contributed to Today with Pat Kenny, the Marian Finucane Show, the Dave Fanning Show, Prime Time, Ireland AM, Seoige, Tonight with Vincent Browne, The Last Word and The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show. He has been stand-in presenter on The Tubridy Show, The Last Word, TV3’s Ireland AM and The Seven O’Clock Show. He presented The Sunday Business Show, Savage Sunday and The Anton Savage Show on Today FM and The Apprentice, You’re Fired! on TV3. He currently writes a weekly column for The Herald.

The Waterford High Hopes Choir

The Waterford High Hopes Choir were part of a documentary High Hopes in November 2014. David Brophy, Conductor had an idea of forming a choir with the homeless and people on the margins. The original members were drawn from various organisations in Dublin and Waterford. The Waterford High Hopes Choir have succeeded in staying together. Despite COVID and the silence of music, they are now back together stronger than ever.

In the years prior to COVID the choir sang in the European Parliament, Electric Picnic, and the Kennedy Summer School. They were awarded a Civic Reception by their city in June 2016. The genesis of my connection with the choir took root in March 2015. I had just commenced writing my second book “Stronger Than Yesterday” as a result of my cancer diagnosis in 2007. I hoped that the book would help anyone navigating the aftermath of an illness. I was donating all the proceeds to charity; hence my journey began with the Waterford High Hopes Choir.

Our Stories Through Song is a book of hope through music. It tells the stories of the individual members of the choir – their dreams and aspirations, as well as their struggles, such as homelessness, living rough on the streets and addiction issues. But there is hope in how they have managed to change their lives through song, story, music and most importantly, friendship.

Also featured in the book are the choir’s musicians, an extraordinary crew of talented people – the glue that ensured the unity and continuation of the choir, despite the numerous issues with Covid-19.

There are also contributions from Glen Hansard, Sr. Stan, Fr. Peter McVerry, Michael Ó Muircheartaigh, Luke O’Neill, Br. Kevin of the Capuchin Day Centre, and many others.

Our Stories Through Song is a book for everybody. It opens our eyes to the lives of members of our society that would otherwise might never have crossed our radar.

All money from book sales is being donated to the Waterford High Hopes Choir. It is available, priced €10, at the Book Centre, Waterford and from the website www.waterfordhighhopes. com. If you go on to the website, there is a click and collect button, which will save you the €6 postage. You can collect the book at the conference on 19th May.

For further information, please contact: cathyamccarthy@gmail.com

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