09.05.2018
Altan to Play Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Fundraiser for Refugee Event
Homecoming gig to raise money for World Refugee Day dinner.
Traditional music fans will be flocking to attend a special fundraising concert at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, where Irish folk band Altan will be performing on Saturday, 19th May at 7.30pm.
Proceeds from the concert will go towards a special ‘Irish Welcome’ dinner in the Cathedral to which 280 people living in Reception and Integration Accommodation Centres across the country will be invited. The dinner will held on World Refugee Day on 20th June as part of the Refugee Food Festival, one of a series of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) initiatives taking place throughout the month.
The concert will be based on the theme of ‘An Irish Welcome’ and is Altan’s first performance in Ireland in 2018, having recently returned from a successful tour of North America. On the night, the band will perform a number of tracks from their new album ‘The Gap of Dreams’ as well as some of their old favourites. Since 1987, Altan have sold over one million records and have performed on several world tours.
Speaking ahead of the concert, Dean of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, The Very Revd. Dr William Morton said: “We are delighted that Altan have agreed to come on board to support this special fundraising event. The Cathedral is a place of welcome, friendship, openness, acceptance and inclusiveness, and as such, we were keen to participate in events to mark World Refugee Day, and to contribute to raising awareness of the social issues involved.
“We believe that those who come to Ireland should receive the welcome that we would like extended to us when we venture abroad, bearing in mind a long history of migration and emigration from these shores. We wish to thank all who have come on board to make the concert and the World Refugee Day dinner possible.”
Altan’s Maighread Ni Mhaonaigh said: “We are excited to play our homecoming concert in the historic surroundings of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, knowing the proceeds will support such a significant initiative. Having received a warm welcome in many corners of the world with the band, we feel it is so important that the same open welcome is extended to those who arrive to Ireland, particularly those who travel under difficult circumstances. We would encourage everybody to support this worthy cause, and join us for a great night of musical entertainment.”
The dinner will be preceded by an Interfaith Prayer Service at the Famine Memorial Statues at Custom House Quay hosted by the Dublin City Interfaith Forum. A procession will then move through the city to the Cathedral. The dinner will be produced by two UNHCR Michelin Star chefs.
Tickets for Altan are priced at €30 per person and can be purchased online on www.stpatrickscathedral.ie.