Concert for Kilcullen organ repairs

Peter Moloney showing where repairs are needed to organ.

A concert in Kilcullen Parish Church on Thursday 4 June to raise funds for repairs to the organ in the church will also commemorate Bro Raphael Berney, writes Brian Byrne.

Born in 1907 to Tom and Margaret Berney in Kilcullen, he was given the name John and later joined the Cistercians at Mt St Joseph Abbey in Roscrea. He was a gifted musician and music teacher.

The Brother Raphael Memorial Concert is being organised by Peter Moloney, and will feature Dr Paul McKeever, organist in St Kevin's Church in Harrington St, Dublin, as well as the Kildare Cathedral Choir, Dominican College Newbridge Chamber Choir, Newbridge tenor Dave Maguire and Dorly O'Sullivan's Dara Quartet.

The event is free, but donations for the repairs fund will be gratefully accepted.

Fairly urgent replacements of components of the organ, which was installed in 1890, are required if it is to continue in use. The June concert is the start of a fundraising campaign.