Uplifting and entertaining night for Maintain Hope

It was always going to be a wonderful night of the best music from some of the most talented musicians around, and so last night’s Maintain Hope Acoustic Picnic 3 turned out to be, writes Brian Byrne.

Organised by our much-loved local singer-songwriter Roy Thompson, those who came enjoyed a veritable feast of singing and instrumental fare, provided by Roy himself, Conor Mahony and Peter Byrne, Alan Fitzgerald, Frankie Lane, and the Kilcullen Gospel Choir.

It was a very collaborative affair, with the different artistes mixing and matching throughout the night, reflecting their own musical lives which interact all the time in pub performance, major shows, other gigs … and in each others’ kitchens sometimes.

There was a surprise for Gerry O’Donoghue, whose Kenya-based Maintain Hope charity was again the recipient of the generosity of the musicians and the audience, and those who donated but were unable to come along.

Maintain Hope has long adopted Roy’s composition ‘Brand New Day’ as its ‘anthem’, and last night it was performed as an ensemble by all the musicians and singers, including the Gospel Choir.

All the Diary’s pictures from the evening can be seen here. There's a selection below showing some of those who came along and enjoyed a really great night's entertainment.

(Updated: changed to correct the proper name of the Maintain Hope 'anthem', which is of course, 'Brand New Day' written and performed by Roy Thompson.)