The NFÉ fund-raiser , held last night (and this morning!) [Sat/Sun 6th/7th Feb 2010] in the 79'r pub in Ballyfermot was more of a success than the organisers were prepared for : extra chairs had to 'borrowed' (!) from the downstairs bar (and smuggled up as best as possible - extra headache for the RSF bouncers!) and 'extra' stage entertainment had been organised , a fact which the local organising committee kept secret as they knew they had more than the fill of the place as it was, from local people and, as such , there was no point in advertising the 'extras' any further afield , as there simply wouldn't have been space available for an influx of 'outsiders'!
Chris Carney.
Pato and Paddy.
Peter Kerins and Friends.
Crowd scene-at the start of the night!As well as the ever-brilliant Pato Cullen , Peter Kerins and Friends were on stage for about an hour , as were Bruscar , Celtic Wing , Paddy Kennedy ('The Lonesome Whistler'!) and - sly dogs that they are for keeping this one 'under wraps' - the unbelievable Chris Carney, who again stunned all in the venue and even had the bar staff out on the floor , from behind the counter, to get a better vantage point.
Actually , at one point , I thought that the inclusion of Chris was going to lead to a fist fight between the local RSF crew and those from nearby areas , as the latter were heard loudly proclaiming , in earshot of the former, that , had they known that Chris was on the bill , they would have insisted that the entrance fee be ten Euro , not five !
5 of the 12 raffle prizes.As well as that massive line-up on stage , the organisers had secured 12 items for the raffle : 2 bodhróns , 1 framed 'Celtic Champions'-etched mirror , 1 'Seán South/Seán Glynn' wood print , 1 Mayo Hunger-Strikers CD , 1 framed 'Irish Freedom Fighters'-etched mirror , 2 republican-themed wall clocks , 1 framed Bobby Sands-etched mirror ,1 'Republican Resistance' framed wood burn , 1 'Political Status For Political Prisoners' framed wood burn and 1 bottle of 'Highland Park' whiskey. All items were won and claimed on the night , with three of them sold immediately by their 'new owner' and the money donated to Na Fianna Éireann - a surprising and wecomed extra 'gift' , gratefully received by the NFE reps present , one of whom - in full uniform - delivered a powerful and well-received statement from the stage in which he confirmed that the Na Fianna Éireann organisation would continue to do as it had done over the 101 years since its formation - '...to give its support to true and sincere republicans accepting , like them , no compromises..' .
Pics of some of the rest of the prizes on the night ...
'Bobby Sands' mirror.
'Irish Freedom Fighters' mirror.
'Continuity' wall clock.
Framed POW's Portlaoise/Maghaberry wood print....and finally : a few words about an up-coming gig that will be held in the 79'r pub on Saturday May 8th 2010 - a Commemorative 'Bobby Sands Ballad Session' , featuring , amongst others , The Beermats, Pato Cullen and Paddy Sweeney, to remember the sacrifice of the 22 Irish Republicans that have died on hunger-strike between 1917 and 1981 ,for the Cause of Irish Freedom , has been organised by Republican Sinn Féin Poblachtach. Doors will open at 8.30pm , admission per person will be €5 and a "Monster Raffle" will be held on the night. We will publish more details about this event between now and then -
A Commemorative Hunger-Striker Ballad Session , for all 22 Irish Republican hunger strikers who died between 1917 and 1981 , will be held in the 79'r pub in Ballyfermot , Dublin , on Saturday 8th May 2010. More details later...- thanks for reading!
Sharon.
