Trad for Trocaire report and thanks
Trocaire teamed up with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann earlier this year to run Trad for Trócaire, a new national fundraising initiative launched for the first time in September 2010, writes Niamh Murray.
Musicians and venues around the country were encouraged to hold a traditional Irish or folk music session in aid of Trócaire.
The event in The Stray Inn, Kilcullen on Saturday night was one of many being held around the country over the past few weeks.
On the night we had plenty of jigs, reels and old time waltzes from a number of musicians and singers and also plenty of foot-tapping from the audience. The musicians included: Uilleann pipes (Dan O’Sullivan), accordions (Joe Kelly, Tom Clarke), fiddles (Phil Callery, Svantje Mertens, Dorly O’Sullivan, Mary Murray), flutes (Eoin MacDomhnaill), singers (Phil Callery, Svantje Mertens, Siobhan Purves, Lorcan, Mark), guitar, tin whistles (Dan O’Sullivan, Niamh Murray).
As well as musical talent on the night we also had some artistic talent. While the musicians played, Gail Pullen, an artist, sketched, and over the course of the evening captured the spirit of the night with two drawings of the musicians. The drawings were then sold at the end of the night and the proceeds went to support Trocaire.
Many thanks to all of the musicians and singers and to all who participated on the night. Thanks to Markeys, Nolans Butchers, the Good Food Gallery, DK Music Shop Newbridge, Berney’s Saddlers and to all who supported the event.
Trad for Trocaire is about utilising what is truly special, unique and at the heart of Irish Culture: our Music, to transform the lives of some of the poorest and most vulnerable communities in the world.
It is hoped that Trad for Trocaire will become an annual event, so if you have a guitar or a fiddle or a musical instrument in your house that you’ve been meaning to play or learn, now is the time to wipe the dust of it and start practicing for next year! In the meantime we also hope that there will be plenty more trad sessions in Kilcullen.
All of the money raised through ‘Trad for Trócaire’ will support overseas aid projects worldwide.
