Pádraig Horgan took his own life on December 16th 2002. His tenth anniversary occurred on December 16th 2012. To commemorate his death, Orlaith, Pádraig’s sister, suggested that an Art Exhibition would be a fitting way to commemorate Pádraig’s death. A meeting was arranged to discuss the idea.
A committee was formed comprised of the following members: Seamus Hunter, Fidelma Nolan, Jack Neenan, Eddie O’Farrell, Michelle O’Sullivan, Eamonn Horgan Snr, Catherine Horgan, Orlaith, Eamonn Jnr and Claire Horgan.
It was agreed that we would go ahead with the proposed Art Exhibition, that it would be held in Main Street, Doneraile, and that the proceeds would go to Pieta House, an organisation founded by Joan Freeman to help those who feel suicidal.
Each committee member was given the task of contacting Artists who would be prepared to donate a painting to this worthy cause.
The response was incredible and almost 200 exhibits were on view on December15th/16th. Paintings were sent from all parts of the country and two arrived from Korea.
Hundreds of people attended the exhibition. It was so well attended that we opened again on Sunday December 23rd. There was a great attendance again on that day.
On Thursday last, Valentine’s night February 14th we had a very special presentation ceremony in the house.
Proceedings commenced with Siobhan Shinnick who sang ‘Siúl A Rúin’ so beautifully. Then came the Presentation Primary Ballad Group of Philippa Maguire, Mary O’Keeffe, Anna Walshe, Britney Kiely and Siobhán Shinnick who sang ‘Buachaill ón Eirne’ and ‘Spanish Lady’ and Jodie Cusack gave an emotive rendition of ‘On Eagle’s Wings’.
Eamonn Horgan welcomed and thanked those who attended and welcomed especially Joan Freeman and congratulated her on the magnificent contribution she has made to Irish Society by establishing Pieta House at four centres in Dublin, one in Galway and Limerick, and shortly there will be centres in Cork and Kerry.
Joan gave a short summary of work done in the centres and answered questions from the assembled group.
A cheque for €9,165 was then presented to Pieta House for work to be carried out in the Cork centre. In her address, Joan mentioned that the amount raised would assure 10 lives would be saved.
People were provided with tea and sandwiches, generously provided by the Kelly family from the Doneraile Court tearooms, and puddings and sausages from Mick O’Sullivan, the local butcher who also served the food.
We were delighted with the sum raised. We would like to thank the artists who contributed paintings and also the people who attended and subscribed so generously.
We would also like to thank Lianne Buckley for the very attractive posters and Mary Griffin for making a photographic record of the whole event.
We are very grateful to the Kelly family at Doneraile Court Tea Rooms for lavishly supplying beautiful sandwiches and savouries during the Art Exhibition and also on Thursday night.
The local butcher Micheál O’Sullivan supplied us with freshly cooked sausages and puddings on each occasion. Thanks Micheál.
Ted and Deirdre Walsh kept each of us energised with their beautiful teas and coffees on each of the days. Thank you Deirdre and Ted
We thank Michael Johnson from the Vale Star for his attendance.