Some 20 plus singers, musicians and story-tellers are set to put their best East Clare performance and hearts into a one-off fund-raiser for victims of the war in Palestine at a special event in Scariff GAA hall on Sunday, December 17 next.
The ‘East Clare for Peace in Palestine’ concert will be a medley of songs and stories of peace and Christmas from some of the best-known performers from the Scariff, Ogonnelloe, Whitegate, Mountshannon and Bodyke areas.
They will sing from the same emotive sheet on Sunday week to raise funds for the Irish Emergency Alliance response to the ongoing horror unfolding in Gaza. The alliance comprises member agencies , Action Aid, Christian Aid, Trócaire, World Vision, TearFund, and Plan International whose emergency appeal is aimed, in particular, at providing immediate help to children and families affected by the war and escalating humanitarian crisis.
Tickets for Sunday week’s gathering go on sale on Eventbrite and can also be purchased at Rodgers’ and Bane’s shops in Scariff, McDermott’s in Whitegate plus other outlets to be added over the coming days. Tickets are priced at €20 each and are expected to sell out quickly so the advice is to book early.
The event is being organised by another alliance, of East Clare performers motivated by the harrowing events unfolding in Gaza and has set a target of raising €3,000 from the night. One of the organisers, Jim O’Brien, said that the concert is an opportunity for the people of East Clare to show their support for those whose lives have been destroyed by the war.
“There’s an incredible sense of community and caring in East Clare and we are horrified at the unfathomable suffering inflicted on innocent children and their families during the attacks on Israel on October 7 and the suffering being inflicted on tens of thousands innocent civilians in Gaza as a result of the continuous and relentless military assault on the enclave. We just wanted to do our bit here in East Clare, not least at this time of the year when we cherish peace more than ever but tragically it’s something that the children of Palestine are being deprived of.
“A few of us got together and came up with the idea of the concert as music and song is an incredible medium for expressing support. It’s going to be a great ensemble and we certainly couldn’t say overly rehearsed given the short notice but people will sing their hearts out and we’ll also have some fun and Christmas cheer thrown into the bargain.”
According to Jim O’Brien the response to the concert from the performing community reflects the universal revulsion over what’s happening. “There’s still a bit to finalise but everyone we’ve asked immediately said yes. The concert is going to be essentially two parts; the first of songs of peace that we all know so well, from John Lennon’s Imagine to Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind. The second half, then, is going to be very much a celebration of the Christmas songs, including our East Clare version of Fairytale of New York and other classics. We’re confident of a night of great of entertainment as well as chance to give to a great cause.”
Musical director for the show will be East Clare’s finest Johnny O’Brien with performers set to include the likes of East Clare Community Choir, East Clare Musical Society, Jim O’Brien, Sarah King, Noel Hogan, Noel Daly and many others.
Details of the full line-up will be published over the coming week.