Local artists and groups to 'Gig for Gaza' in Navan this week
Railway Bar venue on Saturday evening
Meath Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign are hosting a Gig For Gaza in The Railway Bar, Navan on Saturday 12th October. There will be live music, poetry, food, information and talks about Palestine from 6pm to 11pm. The Palestinian poet and friend of the Meath group, Baha Ebdeir will be reciting his poetry. A host of local artists and groups will be performing throughout the night including The Navan Community Singers, Carl Finlay, Caroline Reel, Colette Clinton, Elena Duff, Eugene Donegan, Gavin Kealy, Luke Murtagh, Ollie Clarke, Paddy Smith, Smoke’n Bones, Spin_Itch and The Split Peas.
The fundraiser event is in aid of Gaza Go Bragh, a grassroots project run by Piaras O’Brien in collaboration with a collective of Irish and Palestinian volunteers. They provide tents, water, food aid, cleaning and sanitation supplies as well as financial and evacuation assistance for displaced families. Piaras’s sister Bronadh of the Meath group will be there with IPSC solidarity items (badges, scarves etc) and information about how to get involved with the group. There is no cover charge for the event as the main fundraising source will be a raffle.
First prize is a €200 voucher for Johnstown Estate Hotel And Spa. Businesses around the town of Navan and further afield have been extremely generous in supporting the cause with an array of prizes and vouchers. So far Bellinter House Hotel and Spa, Navan Adventure Centre, Spun Cycles And Run Store, Wren And Mabel Design, Bohemians FC, Albany Home Decor, Ode Design Coffee Shop, The Navan and Robinstown Guitar Club, Solstice Theatre, Next To Nature Health Store, Chekhov's Café, Ben Garry's Hairdressers, Taha Halal Butchers, Callan and Harte with artist Elena Duff, Pumpkin Lodge Crafts, musician Oisin Leech, Navan Cycle Centre, DT Motor Factors, Tara Cleaners, Pimiento's Café, The Railway Bar and O'Brien's Off Licence have all donated vouchers and prizes with more still coming in. Others such as McGoldricks Music Shop, Anthony Mackey Graphic Designs, Brian Walsh Photography, Toner And Ink Factory and The Railway Bar have provided goods and services to help make this a night to remember.
The support from the local community and businesses has been overwhelming. Their logos/names will be screened at the event alongside videos of Gaza Go Bragh’s vital work helping families afflicted by the worsening catastrophe in the Gaza Strip. Approaching one year of the continued bombardment of Gaza, which is roughly the size of Louth, the latest death toll has passed 42,000. Some 1.9 million people have been displaced and 63 per cent of all buildings have been destroyed or damaged, accordingto the Concern charity. With its health service on its knees, schools destroyed, skin diseases, rampant polio and only a trickle of aid getting through, projects such as Gaza Go Bragh are essential to help support the people there.