If you are a follower of traditional Irish music, then this is an event not to be missed. Brainchild of well-known local traditional musician Richard Murray, this will be the first such event of its kind in Galway. Richard has enlisted the support of his friends and colleagues along the western seaboard and beyond to run a charity event, playing traditional music continuously for one full day in Galway hostelry, Tí Coilí, on Mainguard Street. Starting at 11am on Saturday Feb 13 the event will run until close on that night.
With the concept in mind all that was left for Richard was to recruit a charity to benefit from this fantastic event. This was quickly resolved when Richard heard the words of Adi Roche CEO Chernobyl Children’s Project Intl (CCPI ), while she was speaking from Dublin Airport last Christmas as she welcomed 70 children from Belarus to Ireland for the Christmas holiday. He was so moved by those words that it brought him to get in touch with Camp Claddagh about the idea of the Music-thon in order to raise funds to ensure a holiday for 22 children in Galway in July of this year.
Needless to say Camp Claddagh were delighted to be associated with the event and very thankful to all those who are offering their support to this very worthwhile fundraiser.
Camp Claddagh is a group of volunteers who came together five years ago and established the Galway based outreach group of CCPI with the principal aim being to bring children from the areas affected by the Chernobyl disaster, to Galway for a wonderful summer holiday. This has been successfully achieved, bringing over 150 children to Galway so far and their work continues as they move into their 2010 programme.
It costs approximately €500.00 to bring one child over to Galway for a holiday. These children not only receive very real health benefits from being removed from the radiated environment in which they live, for a month, but they also receive a ‘fun filled holiday of a life time’, in its very true sense, as in 99.9 per cent of the cases the holiday in Galway will be the one and only holiday the child will ever experience.
The work of Camp Claddagh could not continue without the support of people like Richard and his friends who are prepared to give so freely of their time and energy and for this, on behalf of the committee, but more importantly on behalf of the little children whose lives you will change for the better, Camp Claddagh thank everyone associated with the event most sincerely.
There will be no cover charge for the event. All that Richard and Camp Claddagh ask is that people donate as generously as they can to a voluntary collection on the day.
The line-up for the event is very impressive, with well known local musicians such as Barry Brady, Dominic Keogh, Ronan O Flaherty, Jonathon “ Banjo” Harty, Edel Fox and many more among those who will sit in on the session at some stage during the day.
Why not make a note of the event in your diary and call down to Tí Coilís on the day. Be assured that you will enjoy the music and at the same time provide support for Camp Claddagh.
If interested in participating or filling a sponsorship card further details can be obtained from Richard Murray (087 ) 2502055 or Fiona Conneely, Camp Claddagh Outreach Group, (087 ) 2096374 or 091 574074.
