25 January 2001 Edition
Adams to go under the hammer for St Patrick
BY PEADAR WHELAN
A political chess set featuring the Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams as one of the pieces is to be auctioned to raise funds for this year's St Patrick's Day Carnival in Belfast.
And Sinn Féin's answer to James Bond, Gerry Kelly, is set to jump off the 180-foot Europa Hotel in Belfast in a charity abseil for the Carnival.
The chess set, the work of sculptor Anto Brennan and donated by the artist, is also adorned with the scowls and grimaces of all of the Six Counties' leading politicians, including messrs Paisley and Trimble.
The auction, to be held in the Devenish Entertainment Complex on 10 February, will see up to 50 items up for grabs, including art work from world-renowned artist Robert Ballagh, who has donated his 'Legacy' in memory of the Hunger Strikers and 'The Cell', a tribute to Irish prisoners overseas.
Singer-songwriter Christy Moore has donated the original manuscript of his song in honour of the Hunger Strikers, 'The Time Has Come'.
Sinn Féin leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness have contributed items while other politicians have also pledged donations. Adams has handed over a smoking pipe that witnessed many an historical event while McGuinness has given a green, white and orange jacket (that he never wears anyway).
Authors such as Maeve Binchy, Seamus Heaney and Brian Friel have contributed first or limited editions of their works.
Newspapers throughout Ireland have given to the cause. An Phoblacht has given an historic edition from the 1981 hunger strike period. The Belfast-based Irish News, Andersonstown News, Belfast Telegraph and News Letter have given front pages marking important political events while the Irish Times has contributed a front page covering the IRA's announcement of its 1994 cessation of military operations.
Andy Moore, a brother of Christy, who is an auctioneer by profession, will be wielding the hammer on the night.
Speaking to An Phoblacht on behalf of the Carnival Committee, Caitríona Ruane vowed that "despite Belfast City Council's refusal to one again fund the St Patrick's Day Carnival parade, the event would go ahead. We are involved in a number of innovative and adventurous projects to raise money, including the auction, but there is also this year's abseil event from the Europa Hotel".
Ruane again expressed anger at those in City Hall who continually refuse grants to the Carnival Committee yet found £60,000 to pay for a New Year extravaganza that included musician Jools Holland playing to an audience of just 1,800 in the Ulster Hall.
"As it stands, I am seeking leave to judicially review the fact that the City Council told the Carnival Committee that as there was no money in the coffers then we needn't apply for money," said Ruane.
Speaking exclusively to An Phoblacht about his imminent leap from the Europa, Gerry Kelly said: "I've been around a fair bit but I've no intention of leaving my mark on Great Victoria Street".
Tickets for the auction cost £10 per head, which includes a four-course meal, entrance to the auction and entertainment afterwards. Proceedings begin at 7pm sharp on 10 February at the Devenish Entertainment Complex.
Contact the Ticket Hotline at Teach an Féile at 028 90313440 (North) or 048 90313440 (South) for tickets and further information.
A political chess set featuring the Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams as one of the pieces is to be auctioned to raise funds for this year's St Patrick's Day Carnival in Belfast.
And Sinn Féin's answer to James Bond, Gerry Kelly, is set to jump off the 180-foot Europa Hotel in Belfast in a charity abseil for the Carnival.
The chess set, the work of sculptor Anto Brennan and donated by the artist, is also adorned with the scowls and grimaces of all of the Six Counties' leading politicians, including messrs Paisley and Trimble.
The auction, to be held in the Devenish Entertainment Complex on 10 February, will see up to 50 items up for grabs, including art work from world-renowned artist Robert Ballagh, who has donated his 'Legacy' in memory of the Hunger Strikers and 'The Cell', a tribute to Irish prisoners overseas.
Singer-songwriter Christy Moore has donated the original manuscript of his song in honour of the Hunger Strikers, 'The Time Has Come'.
Sinn Féin leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness have contributed items while other politicians have also pledged donations. Adams has handed over a smoking pipe that witnessed many an historical event while McGuinness has given a green, white and orange jacket (that he never wears anyway).
Authors such as Maeve Binchy, Seamus Heaney and Brian Friel have contributed first or limited editions of their works.
Newspapers throughout Ireland have given to the cause. An Phoblacht has given an historic edition from the 1981 hunger strike period. The Belfast-based Irish News, Andersonstown News, Belfast Telegraph and News Letter have given front pages marking important political events while the Irish Times has contributed a front page covering the IRA's announcement of its 1994 cessation of military operations.
Andy Moore, a brother of Christy, who is an auctioneer by profession, will be wielding the hammer on the night.
Speaking to An Phoblacht on behalf of the Carnival Committee, Caitríona Ruane vowed that "despite Belfast City Council's refusal to one again fund the St Patrick's Day Carnival parade, the event would go ahead. We are involved in a number of innovative and adventurous projects to raise money, including the auction, but there is also this year's abseil event from the Europa Hotel".
Ruane again expressed anger at those in City Hall who continually refuse grants to the Carnival Committee yet found £60,000 to pay for a New Year extravaganza that included musician Jools Holland playing to an audience of just 1,800 in the Ulster Hall.
"As it stands, I am seeking leave to judicially review the fact that the City Council told the Carnival Committee that as there was no money in the coffers then we needn't apply for money," said Ruane.
Speaking exclusively to An Phoblacht about his imminent leap from the Europa, Gerry Kelly said: "I've been around a fair bit but I've no intention of leaving my mark on Great Victoria Street".
Tickets for the auction cost £10 per head, which includes a four-course meal, entrance to the auction and entertainment afterwards. Proceedings begin at 7pm sharp on 10 February at the Devenish Entertainment Complex.
Contact the Ticket Hotline at Teach an Féile at 028 90313440 (North) or 048 90313440 (South) for tickets and further information.