Laois Trad Concert for Cathal set to boost charities

A big Laois trad concert held in memory of one of their young members has resulted in three charities getting funding boosts.

Spink Comhaltas organised a concert in memory of their 'dear friend', Cathal Clooney, earlier in 2024. They say Cathal was a talented musician and great friend to all up to the time of his death in April 2021, aged just15.

The ‘Concert for Cathal’ was held on March 2 in the Manor Hotel, Abbeyleix. Featuring contributions from across the community, the music was provided by Spink Comhaltas, other Laois Comhaltas musicians, as well as performers from other parts of the community.

The branch says fundraising was supported generously by a huge range across the community – there were too many contributors to mention, but one group who helped to raise €1,500 of the total were Cathal’s former school friends in Heywood Community School.

Three charities were the recipients of the fundraising. All of the charities were chosen by the Clooney family. MORE BELOW PICTURE

Willie, Anne Marie and Liam Clooney with Cathal’s grandparents Joe and Lil Clooney when they and Spink Comhaltas members presented cheques. Pic: Alf Harvey.

The Jack & Jill Foundation received €8,500 which will allow respite care to be provided to families across Laois and Offaly. Make a Wish Foundation and Debra Ireland received €5,000 each. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: Debra Ireland represented by Malachy and Patricia Fogarty are presented with a cheque for €5,000 by Willie, Anne Marie and Liam Clooney along with Spink CCE members Genevieve Bennett, Maeve Hartford, Una Aylward, Marianne Tierney, Lawrence Vesey, Finuala Weston and Mairead Gleeson. Pic: Alf Harvey

Representatives of each of the charities were present, and all of them spoke about the valuable services they provided, the importance of voluntary fund raising for their organisations, and how much they appreciated the donations raised. The presentations were made on September 7.

Speaking on behalf of the committee and members of Spink Comhaltas, Úna Aylward described how much Cathal was missed, and thanked the Clooney family for the privilege to raise money in memory of Cathal.

Cathal’s father, Willie, spoke on behalf of his family. Thanking all present, he said that over and above the money raised by the event, they appreciated the support of their local community over the last 3 years since they lost Cathal. He thanked the musicians and members of Spink Comhaltas for their support and shared some stories of Cathal’s love of music.

To honour Cathal’s memory, the Clooney family have generously donated a perpetual memorial plate, which will be awarded to a junior member of Spink Comhaltas each year. The first recipient of the ‘Cathal Clooney Award’ will be made on Friday, September 20 in Aylward’s Rural Museum, where Spink Comhaltas will be hosting Culture Night. The event is free to the public and starts at 8pm. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: The Jack & Jill Foundation represented by Mary Joe Guilfoyle are presented with a cheque for €8,500 by Willie, Anne Marie and Liam Clooney along with Spink CCE members Genevieve Bennett, Maeve Hartford, Una Aylward, Marianne Tierney, Lawrence Vesey, Finuala Weston and Mairead Gleeson. Pic: Alf Harvey

Spink Comhaltas is looking forward to welcoming existing and new musicians back at the start of October. With a very small number of spaces available after registration, there is a last opportunity for new members to join on Friday, September 13 between 6pm and 8pm in Scoil Mhuire, Abbeyleix.

After that, a group of Spink Comhaltas musicians will travel to Liverpool at the end of September, to perform in a number of venues with Liverpool Comhaltas. We are very much looking forward to building on our existing international ties with a new branch in England. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: Make A Wish represented by Annabel Laffan are presented with a cheque for €5,000 by Willie, Anne Marie and Liam Clooney along with Spink CCE members Genevieve Bennett, Maeve Hartford, Una Aylward, Marianne Tierney and Lawrence Vesey. Pic: Alf Harvey

Spink Comhaltas provides traditional Irish music lessons to members from Laois and bordering areas in Kilkenny, Carlow, and Kildare. With a comprehensive instrument bank to support members learning music in a cost-effective way, Spink prepares musicians for Fleadh Cheoil as well as traditional Irish music examinations. Most importantly, the tradition of playing and enjoying Irish music is being handed on to a new generation. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

The Jack & Jill Foundation were presented with a cheque for €8,500 by Willie, Anne Marie and Liam Clooney pictured with Heywood teachers Mary Kehoe, Liz Kinahan and Miriam Dalton and student friends of Cathal, Vincent Kehoe and James O’Mahony

More information is available at www.spinkcomhaltas.ie