In Memory of Martina night raises over €23k
A sold-out concert in memory of local woman, the late Martina Walsh, and in tribute to the continuous care afforded to patients across the region at Cavan General Hospital and Cavan-Monaghan Palliative Care, has raised in excess of €23,000 for the two local organisations.
Headlined by The Strypes and many more well-known local acts, the event was milestoned by the reformation of one of the county's most famous past rock acts, the Fireflys, who took to the stage together for the first time in more than 27-years.
“The atmosphere in the room was electrifying and the large crowd were treated to the very best of Cavan talent. Thanks to everyone you came and those who viewed it at home. The response has been fantastic,” a spokesperson for the night, which was organised by the Walsh family and Martina's husband Dermot, wrote on social media.
Thanks too was extended not only to the wide variety of acts who played, including The Outer Limits, Aine Cahill and Lisa O'Neill, Cavan Town Comhaltas, Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan, and Cootehill folk and jazz musician Janice Igoe, but to staff and management at the Hotel Kilmore where the event was staged.
Mum-of-two Martina Walsh (nee O’Brien) Carrickfern, Cavan Town, and formerly of Muff, Canningstown, passed away on September 7 2017 following a battle against cancer. Staff from Surgical 1 at Cavan General and Cavan-Monaghan Palliative Care who cared for her during the difficult period of ill-health were meanwhile treated to a front-row experience on the night.
The sum by raised far exceeds initial estimates, such was the generosity of people in attendance, as well as donations before and after the night's entertainment.
Niall O'Riordan's bid of €550 was enough to secure autographed Real Madrid jersey, donated by Michael Conaty, and auctioned on the night, with a signed Manchester United jersey, donated by Strypes' guitarist Josh McClory, will be raffled in future.
See next week's Anglo-Celt newspaper for full report...