Ballina to host concert in aid of children of Gaza

Ballina’s strong humanitarian stand with Gaza during recent and current afflictions on its people has been notable. The weekly Friday afternoon public vigils on the Upper Bridge in solidarity with Palestinians have been taking place for over a year, and growing in size and influence. In July, local playwright Tommy Cooke presented his wistful play ‘A Song for Palestine’, with proceeds going to relief for the suffering in Gaza, while another concert in St Muredach’s Cathedral last week generated even more money from the people of Ballina and surrounding areas to go towards the relief efforts.

On the eve of the two-year anniversary of the present conflict, where the atrocity perpetrated on the people of Israel on October 7, 2023 has now been replicated many times over by the Israeli regime on Palestinians living in Gaza, especially children, local man Martin O’Donnell has organised a ‘Concert for the Children of Gaza’.

Seven acts will show their compassion for those suffering in Gaza when they perform in the Great National Hotel Ballina for the free event, with all of the artists giving their services pro bono. The concert is seated.

Among those who will take part are Alder, Dan and Ciara of Bog Bodies, Padraic Collins, Tommy Cooke, Hannah and Chuck Dunford, Tara Doherty, and Martin O’Donnell and Michael O’Rourke.

Martin O’Donnell is a well-known musician, singer and songwriter, and for over four decades has been involved in the entertainment scene in Mayo and Sligo, especially in the arena of folk, ballad and country music. During this time, Martin has worked with a number of bands and performed as a solo artist.

In the course of his own musical contribution to the concert in Ballina next month, Martin will sing his self-penned song ‘The 21st Century’, with its narrative around the impact of wars and conflict, and the ensuing consequences for those many innocent people caught up in dreadful situations not of their own making. Fiddle player Michael O’Rourke will play alongside Martin.

Alder is a new, locally-based contemporary folk trio that crafts original songs rooted in the natural world, nostalgia, love and loss, and whose members include Mark O’Donnell (also of Billow Wood), Grace Killeen and Iarla Dunford.

Dan Maher and Ciara O’Donnell are two members of the heavy Irish folk group Bog Bodies, and they take their musical inspiration from ancient Irish culture.

Also appearing are young Hannah Dunford with her dad, Chuck, harpist Padraic Collins, singer and music teacher Tara Doherty, and the Ballina playwright, poet and actor, Tommy Cooke.

A donation box will be accessible on the door for those wishing to make a contribution to the cause. Proceeds will go to the UNICEF Ireland Gaza Emergency Appeal for Children Fund and to Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders, whose teams act fast to save people’s lives in conflict zones.

Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, and the free concert begins at 8pm on Friday, October 3.