Tom Walsh of Hear It Sound and Lighting

Tom Walsh of Hear It, Sound, Lighting and Events started out as a DJ in 1980 on the local mobile scene. After two years of performing for events of all sizes and types, Tom saw a market for sound hire.

While DJing at an event one evening, Tom was offered sound equipment that he could use for hire and saw an opening for an extension in his business. After that, Tom made a point of never turning down an event and began to do festivals, meetings and any gathering that needed sound while reinvesting in quality equipment over the years.

Hear It now provides sound, lighting, visuals, backdrops and both indoor and outdoor staging for all events and throughout the years Hear It has provided for events holding from as little as 20 people to over 35,000.

In 2006 and 2008 Tom provided the sound and lighting for the Heineken Cup big-screen gathering and also the team homecoming for the Munster rugby team on O’Connell Street, Limerick.

“It was amazing, I was the local supplier on the international stage. Most of my work puts smiles on people’s faces, it was incredible to see such a crowd on O’Connell street enjoying the fruits of my labour,” said Tom.

Muhammad Ali during his visit to Ireland

In 2009, Hear It provided sound systems for Mohamed Ali’s homecoming to his ancestral town of Ennis at Dromoland Castle, Co. Clare. For this event, Tom also controlled the sound for Sharon Shannon who performed on Main Street in Ennis as well as the sound for the council chamber ceremony that was relayed to the stage in Abbey Street Carpark.

Hear It is a family-run business, both of Tom’s daughters and his son help out whenever they are needed. He believes a family run business is important because he knows his family will support him through the good times and the hard times.

“Working on the Great Limerick Run, I can leave my daughter, Eilís, on controls at the starting point while I work on the rest of the thirteen set-ups. My wife, Anne, offers me support at home and backup if we ever encounter an issue on site,” he said.

With budget permitting, Tom provides free sound and visuals for charity events. Over the past three decades Tom has provided his services for Dónal Walsh Live Life Foundation, Cliona’s Foundation, Milford Hospice, Cancer Research, Limerick LGBT Pride and many more charities and community events.

“I don’t see this as work, but as a way of life as it is my passion. I don’t plan on ever giving it up, but when the time comes my children may take it over,” said Tom.