Standing ovation for Father John Joe Duffy at Together for Creeslough concert

Father John Joe Duffy received a standing ovation as he made his way to the stage at the Together for Creeslough concert which was held in the Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny on Monday night. 

Father John Joe Duffy asked that the organising committee join him on stage, Ciaran O’Donnell, Fianna Fáil Councillor Ciaran Brogan and music promoter Joe Gallagher. 

“On behalf of the organising committee, I would like to say a very sincere thanks to the bands, to the artists, to the singers, to the musicians and to all others who were involved here tonight,” he said.

'Not a day goes by when we don’t think about you' - Brian McFadden

Boyzlife's Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden gives moving tribute at 'Together for Creeslough'

He said that those who sang throughout the night, sang from the very depths of their heart and soul with love for all of those who were affected by the tragedy in Creeslough. He outlined the phenomenal contribution that Joe Gallagher had made to the night’s events - an observation singer Brian McFadden had made earlier on from the stage. 

“Joe it is absolutely amazing what you have done and anything we asked of you, it was no trouble, so on behalf of Ciaran O’Donnell and Ciaran Brogan thanks so very much Joe,” he said to resounding applause. 

He thanked those who came out to attend the evening, those who were affected by tragedy and those who continue to be affected by October's tragic events. 

“We remember those who are at home and who are very much appreciative of tonight and who are not able to be here,” he said. 

He thanked all those who responded to the Creeslough tragedy: “I want to thank all those who first responded on the seventh of October. I want to thank you who first responded and then others who responded throughout that day and throughout that night, those who responded from the civic emergency and medical services and so forth in Donegal and from Northern Ireland.”

Gallery: A sold-out night at ‘Together for Creeslough’ concert

The Aura Centre in Letterkenny is packed to capacity tonight for the ‘Together for Creeslough’ concert with the fundraiser for the Creeslough Tragedy Fund

In an emotive tribute to the emergency services and those who responded he said:“You carried us, you continue to carry us, you were truly the hands of our Lord Jesus Christ in action … We want to thank each and every one of you, those here present and those who could not be here. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and we will be forever thankful,” Father Duffy said.   

There was resounding applause from those gathered in the Aura.

The night came to an end with a wonderful performance from school children from Scoil Mhuire and Faugher National School who sang The Town I Live So Well. Pupils of Mulroy College secondary school joined in the event and Father Duffy said if they sang well they may not get any homework tonight, Tuesday. 

Renowned pianist, Claire Bowes (née Gallagher), who lost her sight in the Omagh bomb, in 1988, joined the children on the piano. 

A fantastic night of song and music underway at 'Together for Creeslough'

'Although this happened in Creeslough it happened to all of the Donegal people because we were all with you’ - co-host Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh said tonight at the 'Together for Creeslough' fundraiser in Letterkenny, where a host of top acts are performing

“Claire you have been, in your own life, an inspiration to me since I first prayed for you as a student in Maynooth when I heard you were in the Omagh bomb. You are a  beacon of hope and a light shining out for us - you are shining so very brightly tonight, thank you Claire,” he said.

At the end of the evening people rose to their feet in appreciation.