Bono backs Moydrum community fundraising efforts
U2 frontman Bono has provided a number of signed Unforgettable Fire albums, complete with letters of authentication, to support both the local community in Moydrum and Athlone Drug Awareness Group.
Cllr Frankie Keena revealed the support from the U2 singer this week, after he had made contact on the centenary of the burning of Moydrum Castle, the building which famously features on the front cover of the band’s Unforgettable Fire albums.
Cllr Keena said that as 2021 was the centenary year of the burning of Moydrum Castle he decided to contact Bono and his band U2 to see if they could support the Moydrum community and the Athlone Drug Awareness Group with their various fundraising efforts.
“I am a big fan of U2 and since Moydrum Castle features on their Unforgettable Fire Album, I said to myself, ‘it is worth a try’”, he said.
“The response was just amazing from Bono. Last year I received Unforgettable Fire albums signed by him for both groups.
“The fact that these albums are signed and dated the centenary year the castle was burnt makes them extra special. Included with these albums are letters of authentication,” added Cllr. Keena.
The Moydrum Residents Association has been working on extensions to footpaths in the area.
Funding from the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport under the Community Involvement Schemes requires the local community to contribute a percentage towards the overall cost of the works.
One of the signed U2 albums was raffled recently as part of the fundraising by the Bliary/Moydrum Residents Association to help meet its contribution to the funding.
To date the residents association has received €206,000 under this scheme over two phases for a footpath extension out along the L-1427 thanks to Westmeath County Council. This includes the contribution of €23,850 from the residents group.
Cllr Keena said an enthusiastic local development committee ably chaired by Ciaran McKenna was given the task to raise this money.
“The support from the local community and businesses has been amazing in responding to the wide variety of fundraisers that were held,” he said.
“While it is fantastic to see that the fundraising for phase 2 is doing so well, we still have a little bit more work to do to reach our target,” he added.
Over the last number of weeks, the resident’s association raffled one of these albums and big congratulations to David Sharkey from Drogheda on being the winner. Special thanks to everyone who entered that draw.
The residents association plans to raffle the remaining albums over the next few years, he said.
The main purpose of this footpath initiative is to make this busy road safer for all users, concluded Cllr Keena.