Irish actor who survived being struck by lightning now lives life to the full

Dubliner playwright and actor David Gilna brings his new play Did I Ever Tell Ya to Tallaght’s Civic Theatre from Monday for a four night run, having won rave reviews for a recent stint in the Viking Theatre in Clontarf.

David, from Swords Co Dublin, tells a variety of stories in the one man monologue show, ranging from his near death experience with lightning to the loss of a friend from suicide.

“So why do we tell stories? Why do I tell stories? Maybe it’s to make sense of the madness we call planet earth,” he reflects.

“Maybe it’s to hold on to the people we’ve lost. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s because stories are the only thing that last. The only thing that matter.”

The award winning entertainer has performed 87 shows of his previous play A Bolt From D’Blue, including several widely acclaimed performances in the U.S.

“After touring A Bolt From D’Blue for over two years , I wanted to create a new show dedicated to storytelling , having been given the blessing from Malachy McCourt, I wanted to honour him and the Irish tradition of telling stories on stage like one of my heroes Brendan Behan,” he adds.

“I’m proud of my heritage, culture and history. I talk openly and honestly about the shadows and the light of life , to make a real human connection on stage. “

David also recently released a children’s book, Dare To Dream.

“The book was dedicated to my nephew Max, who lost his father after bravely battling illness,” he explains. “I wanted to pay homage to Celtic mythology and how they talked about the afterlife and helping children deal with grief.”

David was aged just 18 and visiting Boston when he reached out to stop a ladder from falling, only for a fork of lightning to zap him from the heavens, sending 300,000 volts of electricity through his body.

“Your life can be taken away in seconds, our time here is so precious,” he maintains.

After training as an actor, he had travelled to the States to chase the American dream.

“I always wanted to be an actor. I got into drama at the National Performing Arts School in Ringsend. We went on a J1 to Boston in 2004, and I got a call from my agent to say I had been cast in a film. I was on my way to LA!,” he recalls.

“But just two hours later, on a sunny day in south Boston, I went to move a ladder from a balcony. There were kids playing next door and I was worried it would fall over.

“The moment I touched the ladder, the lightning hit. It sent me back eight feet, 300,000 volts into my body.”

He was hospitalised but thankfully managed to survive after several months of treatment.

“With me and my lightning strike accident, everyday is a blessing regarding sensitive. Some days I can feel human touch and others I can’t. To be honest, it’s a miracle,” he smiles.

“I’m still here, but happy , healthy and reflective. As well as my upcoming shows in Tallaght, I will also be touring across America from September onwards with Did I Ever Tell Ya. “

* Did I ever Tell You is at The Civic Theatre in Tallaght from March 10-13. https://www.civictheatre.ie/whats-on/did-i-ever-tell-ya/