Horgan to launch CD for suicide awareness charity

Leinster and Ireland International winger Shane Horgan from Bellewstown will be in Ramor Theatre on Friday next, 18th February when the music students from Cavan Institute launch their CD, 'Each Small Candle', for the charity Save Our Sons And Daughters. Horgan is the patron of the charity and is very active in promoting this project to set up a branch of the charity here in Cavan. The driving force behind this new branch in Cavan is Peter Moroney, who lost a son to suicide in 2003. Peter has a very honest account of how he and his family have come to terms with their loss and how is has inspired him to strive to ensure that everything that can be done will be done in whatever way possible for those that have any connections with suicide. While suicide may not be an issue that people like to acknowledge, a group of music students in Cavan Institute have been so moved that they have recorded the CD of local musicians, 'Each Small Candle'. Some 17 songs in total are included on the CD which will be launched with the concert on Friday. The students, along with their tutors, Daire O'Reilly, Sue Donohoe, Evin O'Meara, Ciara Flynn, came up with the idea of a CD as a way to raise much needed funds for the charity. Not only that, but by getting as many musicians and artists involved in the project, it is also expected that the CD will raise awareness of SOSAD and the excellent service it provides. The Ramor showcase is the first of two concerts planned by the students. The second gig will be in the ballroom of The Imperial in Cavan town on 6th March 6th. Doors open for both concerts at 8pm. The album was recorded in Cavan Institute's state of the art recording studio by second year music technology students and will include some of Cavan's best talent such as Lisa O'Neill, John O'Grady, Ciaran O'Neill, the O'Donohoe clan, Daragh Slacke, Fran McKeon, Fiona Fitzpatrick, the O'Brien brothers and lots more. SOSAD is dedicated to the prevention of suicide and is presently setting up a branch in Cavan town. Its five main goals are: To raise awareness of suicide in Ireland; to break the taboo surrounding suicide; to provide support and direction to those feeling suicidal; to provide support and direction to those approached by someone feeling suicidal; and to provide support and direction for those bereaved by suicide. Shane Horgan says: “I think we have all been affected by suicide, including myself. As a young man, the demographic that I am in is heavily affected by suicide, so anything that I can do at all to highlight it will be a good thing.†As well as that Shane also says: “We should not be scared of the issue and not sweep it under the carpet. It is time for us to step out of the darkness and come in to the light.†Adding his voice to the proceedings on the night in Ramor Theatre will be singer Tommy Swarbrigg as MC. The launch of the CD 'Each Small Candle' in Ramor on Friday is the first and extremely important step in getting the public in Cavan and the surrounding counties involved in this project. The second step will be to contact as many of the sporting organisations, football, camogie, rugby, hurling, athletics and boxing in the county to get the word out there that SOSAD is available to anyone struggling to cope. Peter Moroney's message is the same as Shane Horgan's, more has to be done and that “every little helps.†Booking for tickets at Ramor is on (049) 854 7074.