The Saint George’s Arts & Heritage Centre Donate A Slate campaign has seen a huge interest from places as far flung as New York and Australia.
The plan is to raise enough money to roof the centre which has become a major focal point for heritage and the arts in Mitchelstown.
Saint George stalwart, Bill Power told The Avondhu that the committee are overwhelmed with the positivity and interest shown by Mitchelstown emigrants and locals alike.
“We have slates sold to people in several countries, with a couple of sizeable donations. They are for individuals who moved away from Mitchelstown are very pleased to see what we are doing and that helps us a lot,” said Bill.
“The countries are wide ranging, our very first order was from New York, we received a request for two slates from someone who left town 13 years ago and wanted to maintain the connection.
“There have been a few from Australia, one of them is a person from Mitchelstown who is gone 30 years.
“There are others with ancestors from the town who have never visited or maybe just once. There have been a few from the UK, again a lot of exiles, and of course it’s a big thing locally, there’s been a great interest in it.”
Bill said the support has been a great motivator for the organising committee and a mark of how people see the centre.
“We have advertised for the tenders this week and we are awaiting responses,” he said.
“It is important to say that the support from the people here in Mitchelstown and surrounds keeps us on schedule to get the whole project moving.
“We have made a commitment that work will commence by the end of September and we will deliver on that.
“Saint George’s always do things when we say we will do them,” Bill added.
The committee will be dropping fliers in to households across Mitchelstown. Local people have embraced the fundraising drive and are paying tribute to loved ones and to mark those who have gone before them.
“In relation to local people and their sponsorship of the slates, a lot of the those taken have been for family members, for children, for parents and quite a few people who have died.
“One request that stands out was from a woman who wanted it for her husband who died in recent years.
“It is a striking thing. There was also a request for a slate in memory of a lady, accompanied by a most gorgeous letter about the lady and her family. There are lovely stories, and we will keep records of this.
This is adding to the history of Saint George’s – people want their loved ones to be remembered in this way.
People want a name on the history of this place, it is important to people that they are helping us out.”
ONGOING FUNDRAISING CONCERTS
One upcoming fundraising concert with The Fogues has already sold out, with tickets for Eamonn Walsh’s concert in high demand and only a small number remain.
There will also be a concert by Jimmy Crowley, with tickets going on sale shortly.
All of the performers for the upcoming concerts are providing their services free of charge and all funds raised will go towards the roof project.
Lighting and sound is being provided, also free of charge, by Justin Finn. Tickets will go on sale over this weekend. For further details, call 087-8113611, 086-1987813 or e-mail stgslate@gmail.com. Make that call and ensure your ticket today.
Also, for further information, contact Saint George’s through their website at www.saintgeorgesmitown.com
