This is David – My Story of Music, Family, and Breaking Down Barriers

I’m David a 34-year-old father, musician, and community worker from Donegall Pass, Belfast. My life’s been shaped by my working-class roots, my love for my culture, and my drive to bring people together. Through the "This is Me" campaign, I want to share my story - not to divide, but to show we’re all human, with shared hopes and struggles. I’ve faced stereotypes and hate, but I believe in building bridges through music, honest talk, and community.

Growing Up in the Pass

I was born and raised in Donegall Pass, a close-knit area where families live street by street, generation after generation. My childhood wasn’t easy, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. It taught me everything I needed to know about life. We didn’t have much - our football pitch was full of holes - but we made do, and those days kicking a ball around are some of my happiest memories.

The local flute band was the heartbeat of our community. I joined as a young boy, and it gave me connection, confidence, and discipline. Wearing that uniform made me feel part of something bigger. It’s not just a band - it’s family. It shaped me into the man I am today, giving me pride and purpose.

Serving My Community

Now, I work within the Sandy Row community. My job’s all about helping people - whether it’s sorting out housing problems, tackling antisocial behaviour, or working with agencies to keep our area safe, clean, and welcoming. I also run a Men’s group, focusing on Northern Ireland’s history, where we support veterans and locals. One of our first projects was cleaning up the community garden and sharing stories, building bonds through shared effort.

I’m passionate about working-class loyalists in South Belfast having a voice as it’s so important to fight for better facilities and safer streets. I will continue to work hard and strive to give back something every day to my community.  

Family: My Heart and Motivation

Being a father is my greatest pride. I’m a family man and Family always comes first, and I want to be a positive role model to guide them right. When my son was diagnosed with dyslexia, I told him it’s just a word - it doesn’t define you. I know that because I lived it. I left school with no qualifications but worked hard, got an apprenticeship, earned my GCSEs, and completed a Level 3 in printing. To prove to my son anything’s possible, I went back to Open University and earned a BA in History and Politics. It wasn’t easy, but it showed him - and me - that you can overcome anything with effort.

My Identity, My Truth

I’m proud to identify as British, a unionist, and a loyalist. My culture, especially music, shapes who I am. But the word "loyalist" often is seen as a negative, tied to violence in some people’s minds. For me, it’s about heritage, not hate. It was loyalist ex-combatants that helped me see my potential and gave me the confidence to be myself, not a label. That’s why I founded the Belfast Bands Forum to show the positive side of marching bands. We’re building a cultural hub to share our history and inspire young people to channel their energy creatively.

I’ve faced my share of prejudice. People see my tattoos, my background, and assume I’m trouble - lazy or racist and in the past I’ve received a number of death threats just because of my religion and views. Even something as simple as walking to church with my grandfather with the Orange Order led to being spat at or verbally abused, which is still the case today. But those moments don’t break me - they push me to reach out and break down that hate, so this stops with my generation.

Building Bridges with Music

I believe music can unite us, and bands have a major role to play in that.  Through the Belfast Bands Forum we have had a number of bands  that have played at multicultural festivals, and we’re set to perform at the 2026 Fleadh Cheoil to help break barriers. We’ve raised thousands for children’s cancer, never asking about religion - because it doesn’t matter. Through the Belfast Bands Forum, we’re doing outreach in schools and interface areas, showing young people that 97% of the time, we’re all dealing with the same issues. I want them to see me as David - a father, a friend, a musician - not just a uniform or a sash.

Fighting Misinformation, Fostering Dialogue

Misinformation spreads fast both in loyalist communities and about loyalist communities, and it’s hard to challenge. That’s why I’m passionate about talking and really engaging with people. Whether it’s at cross-community events or with kids in interface areas, I’m honest about who I am and what I believe: civil and religious liberties for all. I love history, and I think of stories like World War I, when Protestants and Catholics from Ireland fought and died side by side. It reminds me we’re more alike than different.

To foster dialogue, we’ve got to listen, not label. Music’s my way of bridging gaps - it’s universal, and it can bring personal, social, and even economic benefits if we embrace it. We stop hate speech with more speech, more understanding, and more connection.

This is Me

I’m more than what people assume. I’m a father, a musician, a community worker, and someone who believes in a better Belfast. My story’s about overcoming stereotypes, building on what we share, and showing that music and honest talk can change minds. Through the "This is Me" campaign, I hope you see me as a human being, just like you, working to make our city a place where we can all live together, different but united.

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