Following on the recent Irish Bishops’ Day of Prayer and Reflection for Gaza, a choir concert in Carlow hopes to raise money for the Palestinians in Gaza. Taking place on October 2, ‘Ceol na gCór – Choirs for Gaza’ will gather over ten choirs in St Clare’s Church, Graiguecullen, Co. Carlow to perform as Gaeilge.
Part of the Féile an Fhómhair, an annual autumn bilingual festival, the concert is being organised by the voluntary organisation for the promotion of the Irish language and culture Glór Cheatharlachin Carlow.
The guest choirs are welcome to prepare one performance of their choice. It can be a song, hymn or psalm, a new composition or other, as long as it is performed in Irish.
Bríde de Róiste, who is a member of Glór Cheatharlach said the famine in Gaza makes people feel “helpless”. She believes all nations feel similarly, “just watching the awful destruction and bombing, and the way the humanitarian aid is being distributed, if it is.”
Because of that, they decided to use the Féile an Fhómhair to raise money towards the relief of famine in Gaza. “Not that these little events will make much difference, but it’s just a note of solidarity.”
Ms de Róiste said entry is free but their goal is to raise €2,000 in donations. “We will join up with a couple of charities. We are conscious of the children,” she said, so they will distribute the proceeds to “a couple of NGOs”, including UNICEF.
Fr John Dunphy, PP Graiguecullen & Killeshin believes the reason why the Irish are standing up for Gaza is partly because of the Irish history, so they sympathise with the suffering the famine in Gaza brings. “But partly because I think people don’t like to see children and people hungry.” He said that “the Christian call is a call to share and to reach out and help and support anybody who may be hungry.”
Those wishing to attend the concert or donate to the cause can contact Ms de Róiste on 087 285 7048.
