'Miscellany' raises €2,200+

Every time it comes around, you figure that 'Miscellany on Sunday' has to peak sometime, writes Brian Byrne.

Well, the annual fundraiser hosted in the Bermingham home at Mooretown for the Michael Garry House hostel for the homeless just keeps on growing, and this past Sunday there were three 'venues' in full swing.

"We need a bigger house," said Phena Bermingham as, with Nessa Dunlea doing 'stage manager', she helped make sure that refreshments and entertainment were maintained through the afternoon.

More than €2,200 was raised in donations left at the door by visitors who swirled through the house all during the event. In addition to leaving money, many of them left great musical, drama and literary memories as they contributed to the entertainment.

What was also noticeable this year was the number of young entertainers, rock and trad bands, family musical groups, and individual young artists coming through to make their own mark in the talent pool of Kilcullen and surrounds.

There were the older stalwarts too. Dick Dunphy, Dick Jeffers, Bernard Berney to mention just a few. And Pastor Robert Dunlop, who added to his story and poem a prayer for the late Tom Bermingham, whose passing last year resulted in the first cancelling of 'Miscellany' since its inauguration in 2000.

On the funds, organising committee member Roy Thompson says he is constantly astounded at the generosity of people. "Especially in these very difficult times, when people's own circumstances aren't easy, it's wonderful to see them respond to helping out a facility like Michael Garry House which is itself being stretched to meet the demand."



Click on the ad for more information.