Last night the upstairs room at Fallon and Byrne's Gourmet Restaurant and Grocery store in Exchequer Street in Dublin was very kindly given over by the owners for a Fundraiser for Emma Miller, who is very unwell. The occasion was a huge success, and it was an honour to be asked to be part of the proceedings. It was also very touching to see so many fine musicians and singers giving freely of their talent and time for the cause. Ed McGinley's Band played a storming set of originals, as did The Walls, Jerry Fish and most of the Mudbug Club, Kieran Kennedy and Maria Doyle Kennedy and Niall Toner Jnr. and Johnny Ronan. For my part I played a set with Mick O'Doherty on Guitar, Niall Jnr. on Guitar, Colm McCaughey on Fiddle and Simon Farrell on String Bass. Barbara McGinley and her team did a great job on the organising, Monty was his usual genius self on Sound, and there was a very successful Art Auction and Raffle. All-in-all a very enjoyable night, and the real bonus was meeting so many people I had not seen for so long ! As with any gathering like this, we all made promises to stay in touch, and not to leave it so long before seeing each other again. Let's keep to that promise !
