Legends of Irish music scene lined up for Offaly venue in May
Big Night With The Stars fundraiser in memory of three-year-old Ben
WHAT must be the biggest line-up of musical stars ever to perform on the same night in the same venue in Tullamore will gather in the Court Hotel on Wednesday, May 7 next for a charity concert.
Ben's Big Night With The Stars is in memory of the late Ben Lawlor, three-year-old grandson of Tullamore star singer Dave Lawlor and in aid of two organisations who did so much to help him before his tragic and untimely death.
Ben passed away from cancer in September last year having been diagnosed with a brain tumour the previous November.
“My son Brian and his wife Louise lost Ben who died having fought for 10 months,” said Dave. “I decided we had to give something back to Oscar's Kids and the Gavin Glynn Foundation who did so much to help him.”
Oscar's Kids Ireland and the Gavin Glynn Foundation are two charities who assist families with children who are suffering with serious illnesses and Dave Lawlor said he was blown away when he saw for himself the work they support.
Dave Lawlor, an acclaimed performer himself over the decades, got in touch with his extensive contacts in the music business.
“We've lined up the best acts we can get in this business and everybody has been so fabulous. They've given us anything we need and we cannot get over it,” he said.
Commenting on a star-studded bill which includes Mike Denver, Gina, Simon Casey, Claudia Buckley, Red Hurley, Nathan Carter, Ronan Collins, Mary Byrne, Jimmy Buckley, Rosney Family Band, Ruaile Buaile, The Conquerors - and Dave himself – the singer said: “They're all my friends who came and told me when he died, whatever you want done, just tell me. And then I asked them and here they are, which is great. I want to thank everybody, it's not just the acts, the Tullamore Court Hotel, Print Plus, Nolan Sound... it's just incredible, everybody has come on board, there's been a huge response.”
The two and a half hour show is expected to draw the crowds to the Tullamore Court Hotel, a hugely popular live music venue.
“We intend to fill it. They'll all do about three songs each,” said Dave. But he revealed another reason to go to the gig – the fabulous raffle prizes sponsored by GM Entertainments, a company run by Gordon Maher, another personal friend of Dave's.
“GM Entertainments run a holiday every year, seven nights in Torremolinos, Spain, called Stars in the Sun, and a lot of the acts that are on this bill are on that every year.
“So Gordon, on the night of the show, is going to raffle off two holidays which are worth €1,400 each which will raise another load of money. The raffle ticket price is €20 each or three for €50.”
While Dave is looking forward to Ben's Big Night With The Stars he also points out how sad an occasion is it for the family.
“It's something we never thought we'd have to do but look, here we are. We'll do it and give money back to those people so that a whole lot of other little Bens can be looked after because these charity organisations are just unbelievable, as are the people that are in them.
“You don't realise it until it actually happens and you're actually in there and you're watching what is going on and see the work they're doing. And they're voluntary.”
Ben was cared for in Temple Street Children's Hospital, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, a hospital in Manchester, and then a hospice in Leopardstown.
“They help the patients. They paid for Brian and Louise's stay in Manchester for instance, which was six weeks. The Gavin Glynn Foundation looked after Ben personally right up until his passing,” said Dave.
“It's unbelievable what those people do. When I was going in and out of Temple Street hospital and then in and out of Crumlin hospital and in and out of those places, when you see the work they're all doing, and the work they do in Manchester, it blows you away and it's going on every day of the week. There's thousands of kids out there being looked after every day and nobody passes any remarks until it comes to our door.”
Dave Lawlor will host and compere the evening (doors open 7pm) and tickets (€30) are available from the Tullamore Court Hotel (tel 057 93 46666, email [email protected], www.tullamorecourthotel.ie).