It was revealed last week that the legendary singer had requested that her ashes be scattered at the famed Irish landmark and weeks after her death on 2 March last year, her brother travelled to Ireland to fulfil her last wish. Curtin, who runs Shannon Heritage Tours, was asked to accompany him on Dusty's last journey.

Dusty Springfield, who was born Mary Isabel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien, was known to be proud of her Irish heritage and travelled to this country frequently. It has emerged that she chose her final resting place having visited the area a number of times and been taken by its natural beauty.

According to Curtin, Tom Springfield, who like his sister changed his name, was silent on the trip from his city hotel out to the Cliffs. "He was quite upset which was very understandable and he said nothing at all on the journey out there," Curtin remembers.

Once there, Curtin left Tom to do what he had come to do and joined him after in the nearby visitor centre.

"He was a friendly man. He had a cup of coffee and I told him about the history of the place, that it had been for many generations in the O'Brien family and so was a fitting resting place for his sister."

Dusty Springfield, hailed by many as one of the greatest singers of her generation, died after a long battle with cancer at the age of 59.

Michael Clifford
The Sunday Tribune
4 June, 2000