The Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA):
“Until there is a cure, there is care"
Motor Neurone Disease is currently an incurable disease and people with the most common form of MND have a life expectancy of 2-5 years from onset of symptoms.
The IMNDA cannot slow the progression of MND or change the outcome but they can alleviate the feelings of isolation and frustration. They offer consistent support and services to approximately 450 families across Ireland who otherwise would have nowhere else to turn. MND is a rare disease and it develops differently for everyone diagnosed. Therefore, everybody with MND has different needs at different stages of their journey and the IMNDA is here to help and guide them every step of the way.
Key services provided by the IMNDA include:
• Access to specialised equipment on loan. e.g. wheelchairs, hoists, communication aids etc. (many people with MND will lose their speech at some point and the IMNDA provides highly specialised equipment that allows people with MND to continue to communicate with those around them).
• Access to a home care grant.
• Access to 6 outreach nurses directly employed by the IMNDA and funded entirely by donations.
• Access to funding towards counselling sessions for the person with MND and family members.
The IMNDA also funds and promotes research into the causes and treatments of MND, but the majority of funds raised from generous donors and supporters go towards providing these services to people with Motor Neurone Disease. The services provided by the IMNDA are immediate and free of charge for everyone registered with the Association. Your support is absolutely vital. More than 85% of the IMNDA's income comes from fundraising and donations.
Thank you for your support!
Emma Langford:
Emma Langford has become a firm feature of the Irish folk and songwriter scene. A globetrotting troubadour, Langford calls Limerick City in the South-West of Ireland home. Storytelling and wit sit at the heart of all she does; interweaving her live performances, and shining through her works. Langford’s is an inimitable, dreamy voice on the frontline of a new wave of Irish folk.
In 2017 Langford released Quiet Giant, the album that won her an RTÉ Folk Award for Best Emerging Artist and the Irish Post Music Award nomination for best Irish folk act. She was since twice nominated for Best Folk Singer, and once for Best Original Track at the RTÉ Folk Awards. She received the inaugural Dolores O’Riordan Bursary in 2019, the Music Network RESONATE residency in 2021, and an Arts Council Agility Award, to support continuing research and explorations into women in Irish history.
Langford is on the road around Ireland, the US and Germany, collaborating with various international communities, and continuing her Arts Council-supported research around Irish women in myth and history.
Gerry (Fiddle) O’Connor
From an early age, Louth native Gerry O’Connor was involved Irish music and dance, winning numerous All Ireland titles between 1967 and 1973 in a range of formations including duet, trio and four Céili Band titles. Playing with the influential Sligo fiddle player John Joe Gardiner in the 1970’s formed Gerry’s style of music. His own background in step dancing translates into the music for which he is noted; today he is regarded as one of the great fiddle players of his generation.
He has played and recorded with highly-regarded groups such as Lá Lúgh and Skylark and has toured and recorded with members of all the legendary groups including Planxty, Bothy Band, De Dannan, Boys of the Lough and The Chieftains. Lá Lugh’s album “Brighid’s Kiss” was voted Album of the Year 1996 by readers of the Irish Music Magazine. His solo album “Journeyman” was counted in the top five Albums of the year 2004 by the Irish Times. This critically acclaimed solo album, was heralded as a significant milestone in recording the music of the “Oriel” region of South Ulster. His 2006 live album recorded with Gilles le Bigot was a celebration of the cultural links between Ireland and Brittany. This duo has toured continually for the last 20 years. When Gerry is not touring around the world he works as a violin maker/restorer (luthier).
Greenshine
GREENSHINE is a Cork based family trio comprising Noel Shine, Mary Greene and their daughter Ellie. Their material straddles the boundaries of contemporary, folk and roots and includes many self-penned songs. The band is known for striking family harmonies and excellent musicianship.
Noel is a multi-instrumentalist, turning his hand to guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, bouzouki and traditional whistle and this musical dexterity had seen him much in demand as a session and band player by artists as diverse as The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem and funk and soul legends The Republic of Loose amongst many others. Mary brings rhythm guitar to the mix and her voice is a wonderfully versatile instrument. She has added her talents to the albums of Christy Moore, John Spillane, Mick Hanly and Frances Black as well as cult psychedelic outfit Dr. Strangely Strange.
Ellie Shine grew up surrounded by music and has been performing in concerts and festivals since the age of 13 including an appearance with GREENSHINE for President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina at The Abbey Theatre. She accompanies herself on the ukulele. In 2013 Ellie joined the band officially and GREENSHINE was born.
Niall Keegan and Friends
Niall will be performing on the night with a group of talented and accomplished musicians - a mix of alumni and current lecturers in the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, UL.
Niall Keegan was born in the south east of England and began playing Irish traditional flute at an early age amongst the community of first and second generation musicians in and around London.
Since moving to Ireland Niall has performed extensively throughout the country and abroad in a variety of contexts and venues, including the Royal Albert Hall, Barbican, Project Arts Centre in Dublin, the University of Limerick Concert Hall, The National Concert Hall in Dublin, The Waterfront Hall in Belfast and the Galway Arts Centre.
Niall is currently the Associate Director of the Irish World Academy and the Director of Undergraduate Studies, responsible for the BA Irish Music and Dance, BA Voice and Dance and Certificate in Music and Dance.
Please note all gigs are over 18’s unless specified.
It is your responsibility to check your e-ticket prior to the Event.
No refunds will be offered unless the Event is cancelled.
Door and stage times, subject to change.
Please note all ticket prices include a booking charge.
On street parking.