Almost 800 people packed into a Kells, Co Meath church in a fundraising effort for two voluntary organisations Drogheda Homeless Aid and Meath Women’s Refuge. The event, a concert featuring local singers, musicians and dancers and celebrating Celtic traditions, was hosted by parish priest Fr David Bradley. Fr Bradley was formerly based in Holy Family Parish Drogheda and is now taking up a new post as parish priest of Nobber and Carlanstown-Kilbeg.
Derek Eakins was musical director and the event featured the renowned St Colmcille’s Church choir combined with Kilbeg Parish Choir, along with special guests Amie Dyer, Deirdre Shannon, Siobhan McAleese, Fr Darragh Connelly, Airnean Folk Group, Jack Cunnane, Tom Ryan, Roddy McGuinness, and Magic Feet Irish Dance Troupe.
Amanda Alty of Meath Women’s Refuge at the Kells concert.
Addressing the audience Amanda Alty of Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Services said it was great to see so many people coming out to support the voluntary organisations and their vital work in the community.
Paul Murphy, chairperson Drogheda Homeless Aid said that Fr David had left a great mark on his former parish Holy Family in Drogheda but also on his parish in Kells and he knew his congregation was very sorry to lose him.
A section of the audience at Kells Church.
Giving a short history of Dha he said that the organisation had been founded by Sr Cait Fitzgerald, a Cork woman who was a member of the Daughters of Charity order. It now had a hostel in Drogheda which catered for homeless persons in Louth and Meath and beyond, along with nine transition houses, six in Meath and three in Louth.
Another view of the large audience at Kells Church.
It was the ambition of Dha to expand its services further into Meath and he hoped that would come about sometime in the future. He knew that suggestions had been made that a hostel for homeless persons should be provided in Meath and he hope that that also would come to fruition.
