by Louise Doyle
THE sister of the late Ramelton musician Paul Mooney has spoken of how a special fundraiser in his memory in aid of the Pastoral Centre Counselling Services means that his legacy of helping people lives on.
Maeve Mooney, on behalf of her family, presented a cheque for €1,000 to the counselling service on Tuesday.
The proceeds were raised at a special night, aptly titled, ‘Moonfest’ in The Cottage Bar, Letterkenny, in February, when family, friends and former band mates of the talented musician gathered to celebrate what would have been Mr Mooney’s 32nd birthday.
Mr Mooney lost his life in a road traffic collision on the Letterkenny to Lifford Road in December 2023, just days before Christmas.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Maeve told of how she received counselling from the local service following the sudden and devastating loss of her brother.
“I don’t know how I would have managed this last year without the support from the Pastoral Centre, it’s been a massively life-changing event. It took me a while to really get my head around it and understand what was happening to me.
“When looking for this service, it made me realise how little there actually is available. When I contacted them, they got back to me quickly. I’ve had a good, fruitful experience with them. This was an opportunity to give back. I cannot put into words how much I got out of it. The money raised is a phenomenal amount of support for someone who needs it.
“It highlights an important place in our community and it makes Paul’s memory live on another while, which is the greatest gift to me.”
Maeve said holding the fundraiser in The Cottage Bar was really important to her family, as it was a place Paul loved and musicians gravitate towards.
“It has been so nice for our family, fundraising in the community. This was a big one for the music community. Paul would have been very involved in The Mouthpiece and the Open Mic Night, and The Cottage Bar would have been one of his favourite places.. It is so fitting, he would be so proud to see what the guys have done for him.
“Every penny raised is so thoughtful. Hopefully this fundraiser will help get it out there that the Pastoral Centre is there, and hopefully anyone else doing any type of fundraising will keep them in mind because it is such an important service and you don’t realise until you need it.”
Julie Breen and Hayley Doherty, from the Pastoral Centre received the donation. They described the donation as “significant” and said it will help take down waiting times.
“It will help take down our waiting list. We work with therapists across Donegal, so this means we can give them more hours to do this work which means our waiting list is reduced. Rather than having people on the waiting list longer while we raise funds to help them, these proceeds will help reduce that.”
Services are offered across the county in Letterkenny, Buncrana, Stranorlar, Dunfanaghy and Dungloe working with children, adolescents, adults and families and is person-contact centered. The service is also moving south of the county: “This funding is going to go towards all of that. It is significant. It is a meaningful life-change for many,” said Ms Breen.
The special night featured performances by Boy M5, Mr Mooney’s former band, as well as The Ephades, Without Willow, Beware of the Beast and many more incredible acts.
Conal McGonigle, manager, The Cottage Bar, reflected on the special fundraiser. “It was a great night. Paul was so well liked and well-known, everyone wanted to come in and show their support. Plus, he was such a great musician, it added to the night to have so many local musicians performing. It was a special occasion. Anywhere Paul went he was loved, he was that type of character.”
The fundraiser originated from Maeve and Steven Crane, who runs the Open Mic Night in The Cottage.
“The fact that this fundraiser is a legacy of helping people, what a legacy to have. He continues to help people even though he is not here anymore. The people who all show up on the nights from Paul show the legacy he has. I think that night was the busiest this place has ever been,” said Steve.
The late Paul Mooney.
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