PREDA Galway launched with a rousing concert
led by Damien Dempsey
By: Philip Cribbin
The
Galway branch of Preda-Ireland was launched the day after a
spectacular rock concert, "End Child slavery", led by popular singer
Damien Dempsy who is rocketing to fame after his latest CD release
and his appearance on the Irish television “Late Late Show” with
Bono and U2 band and The Corrs among other famous artists. They came
together for a benefit for the famous Irish folk singer Ronny Drew
who is battling cancer.
The PREDA-Ireland initiative to establish a branch in Galway and raise funds was coordinated by Galway Community College and assisted by the chaplaincy teams and musical acts from GMIT and NUIG. The event proved to be an overwhelming success. The name PREDA has been firmly embedded in people¹s minds for all the right reasons. The “End Child Slavery” benefit concert, combined with the proceeds from the GCC memorabilia raffle, Galway Bay FM on air auction and donations from members of the public, raised over 12,000 Euro.
Items were donated by high profile Irish figures such as Christy Moore, Bernard Dunne, the Dublin based boxer as well as Martin Sheen and Celtic F.C. to name but a few. The money will be spent by Fr. Shay Cullen and his team in building accommodation and rehabilitation units for children free from adult prisons and lives of sexual servitude.
The concert proved to be a truly community effort with the work receiving the full backing of local newspapers and radio with Gareth O¹Callaghan and Ollie Turner on Galway Bay FM who interviewed Damien Dempsey and Fr. Shay Cullen as well as representatives from “12 String” the band from the PLC Music class who composed a song entitled “Today” which has blown away Meteor winner Damien Demspey who described it as “a passionate and powerful work”. It is hoped that the song will be available for download before the visit of the PREDA Akbay theatre group to Galway in late May.
The two GMIT acts got the concert under way and set a very high standard for the NUIG band, Hickory Wind” and the GCC band “12 String to follow. The GCC band finished their set with their PREDA inspired song “Today” and the ultimate crowd pleaser “Brewing up a Storm”. Damien took to the stage at 10.30 and blew the packed house away with a rousing rendition of “Maasai” and allowed himself a wry smile as he knew the audience were his as they sang in chorus to each of his songs right up to the Damo classic, “Love Yourself”. The audience continued to sing the song for about five minutes before returning on stage with PREDA founder Fr. Shay Cullen.
This energetic advocate of child rights delivered a few powerful points about the purpose of the concert. It was to bring freedom to the child prisoners and sex slaves. He pointed to the banners around the hall that showed kids behind bars and those children already happily liberated and now at school. "This is what it is all about", he said, "Its for those children whose human rights are violated daily, together we can end their suffering, we can set them free". Damien finished the night on a high before promising to return to his ever growing fan base in the West of Ireland over the summer.
The launch of PREDA Galway took place in the Western Hotel in Prospect Hill on Friday the 29th with Fr. Shay and Damien being guests of honour. It gave the assembled crowd a chance to meet like minded people to discuss their hopes and ideas for this progressive children¹s charity. PREDA Galway would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this event so memorable and for giving so generously of their time, finances and energy. Damien Dempsey proved yet again what an amazing individual he is both on and off the stage PREDA is delighted and proud to have a man of his moral conviction and dedication fighting in their corner protecting the rights of the children who need our help.
For further information on the work of PREDA Galway email: predagalway@gmail.com or ring Galway Community College on 091-755464 or on www.preda.org
