Gerry planning virtual gig to help out Simon Community
THE internationally acclaimed fiddle player Gerry O’Connor is playing an online gig from his Ballymakellet home on Tuesday December 1 in aid of Dundalk Simon Community.
Gerry, who played a series of virtual gigs from the studio at his home during the first lockdown, came up with the idea of doing another one to raise funds for the Simon Community at a time of year when the charity is under great pressure.
In a nice piece of synchronicity, for every €10 he raises, Dundalk Simon will gift a copy of the book ‘Sixty Photographs for Simon’ by photographer Vincent Butler to a local school.
So far, the fundraiser has raised enough money so that every school in Co Louth will receive a copy, while schools in neighbouring counies will also receive copies.
Vincent, a world travelled tour guide, working on the National Geographic Explorer for the last decade, has produced this beautiful book with images from 25 countries for the Simon Community.
Gerry explains that he had the pleasure of meeting Vincent when was programming and presenting traditional music entertainment for the Grand
Belmond Hibernian when. it visited Dundalk for the last few years. ‘ He is a most engaging speaker.’
Gerry will be live streaming his concert through Facebook on Sunday December 1 at 6.30pm. He is also taking musical requests from those who make a donation. ‘Plenty of interest and some interesting suggestion so far!’ he says.
To make a donation to the Simon community and suggest a tune for Gerry to play, visit his event page on Facebook.