In years past, ballad sheets were a big favourite with music lovers, and the tradition will be revived next Monday in Doneraile when Benji Hallihan launches a self-composed song to raise funds for the Darkness into Light charity.
The launch will take place at 8pm in Teach Padraig, and there will also be an hour of ballads and fun to entertain those in attendance. All are welcome to call in on the night. The ballad sheet will have the Darkness into Light song on one side, and another Benji-composed ballad on the famous Doneraile-Buttevant Steeplechase on the other, with all proceeds going to the charity.
Benji, who taught for many years at St Mary’s Secondary School in Mallow, is a keen singer, musician and songwriter, and is fondly remembered for the pantomimes he wrote which were so popular in years past. He is also a keen supporter of the Irish Cancer Society, and on Daffodil Day performed songs in Market Square to raise money for the charity.
Mallow Darkness into Light, which was so successful last year, will take place in the early hours of Saturday, May 9th, and once again the starting point will be Mallow College of Further Education in Annabella. The organisers are encouraging all participants to pre-register at the pop-up shop located on Hibernian Way near the McDonalds drive-through, which will be open on Saturday April 25th, 11am – 4pm; Friday May 1st, 11am – 4pm; Saturday May 2nd, 11am – 4pm and Tuesday May 5th to Friday May 8th, 12 noon – 6pm. Alternatively you can register online on www.dil.pieta.ie and collect your T-shirt from the shop on the dates listed by presenting your online receipt. Last year the organisers were over-whelmed by the support and enthusiasm of our participants. This year they would love to double the number of participants.