‘TEAM’ effort sees concert proceeds go to good cause

Photo shows, TEAM committee members Siobhán Flaherty TEAM, Mary Hughes and Mary Irwin, with Mark Irwin who hosted a concert this year to raise funds for the charity.

Mark Irwin’s Songs from Movies and Musicals in aid of TEAM (Temporary Emergency Accommodation Midlands) on Saturday September 21 has been described as “powerful” and “uplifting” night.

This might be due in no small part to the fact that Mark “has a soft spot” for TEAM, which provides safe and secure housing for homeless women and children across counties Westmeath, Longford, Offaly and Laois at their base in Mullingar – Teach Fáilte.

“The concert was a huge success, one of Mark’s best concerts,” said Mary Hughes of TEAM, as a portion of the proceeds from the night at Mullingar Arts Centre were handed over on Tuesday of last week.

“Mark is an extremely professional person to work with, he has a soft spot for TEAM and that comes through in everything he does. It’s not just about a concert to raise funds, he’s doing it because his heart is in it,” she added.

It was Mark’s second time to make hold a concert in aid of TEAM, following his first hugely successful venture last summer.

This time around, Mark had special guest Josh Jones of The 12 Tenors performing on the night, as well as host of local acts including Fallen Lights, and it was a major success.

“Mark is proper showman and the audience loved every minute of it, so all in all it turned out to be a great night,” said Siobhán Flaherty of TEAM.

“It’s a great awareness night for TEAM also, you’d be surprised how many people don’t know what TEAM is all about. We set up an information table on the night and we tell people about the shop on Mount Street, about our headquarters in the town.”

Some of the residents of Teach Fáilte attended the concert and Mark said all the time and effort that goes into the show is worth it because TEAM is such a good cause.

“This is my second time to hold a concert for TEAM and working with them this year, and last, was an amazing experience. I feel that the money goes towards a very good cause,” says Mark.

“Some of the residents came along on the night, one of came up to me to say they were living in Teach Fáilte and she was so grateful for the fundraising – it’s stuff like that makes all the work worthwhile,” he said.

“We some had amazing performers on the night, it was great to have Josh Jones with us because we’ve been trying to get him over for years. We had Fallen Lights, and the likes of Laura Irwin, Emily Ashmore, Mollie D’Arcy and Lisa Maher. To have a band on stage, particularly to have drums in the show, it just gives you that extra little bit of oomph.

“It was hands down the best show I’ve ever done, and the support we got on the night was pretty special. One man told me he came all the way from Dublin to see it.”

Mark flies to Germany this week to board a new transatlantic cruise ship, the Norwegian Encore, on which he will perform in The Choir of Man.

Described as “the ultimate feel-good show”, The Choir of Man debuted last year at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and earned favourable reviews. A production from the creative minds of Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay, it features talented singers in a working pub singing everything from pop, classic rock, Broadway, and folk in beautiful harmonies, while also dancing and drinking beer!

While Mark tours the high seas for six months, he says it was a pleasure to work with Mary, Siobhán and all at TEAM.

Fundraising efforts continue for the charity, which needs to raise €80,000 a year to keep the service at Teach Fáilte running.

“The TEAM shop on Mount Street is contributing greatly to this €80,000 that has to be raised voluntarily every year,” said Mary Hughes.

“We also had a bag pack last weekend and there’s will be a church gate Collection coming up at Christmas. In January we will have our annual classical concert with all local artists, and that’s always very well supported.

“We are also thankful to the Mullingar Half Marathon, which contributed the last couple of years, and will do so again next year. That is has hugely helpful towards the annual deficit, as is special concerts like Mark’s night here in the arts centre. We cannot express our gratitude enough to those who supported the night and all year round.”