'Not a day goes by when we don’t think about you' - Brian McFadden

The stars came out in their droves to take to the stage for the Together for Creeslough concert which was held in the Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny last night. 

During the first half of the concert Moya Brennan, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Mickey Joe Harte, Brian Kennedy, Lisa McHugh and The Whistling Donkeys brought both tears of joy and laughter to the hundreds of people who gathered. 

A local organising committee planned the event to show their gratitude to the emergency service personnel who worked at the scene of an explosion which claimed the lives of 10 people in Creeslough, last October. It was hoped the night of wonderful music would instil a sense of hope in the hearts of all those affected by the tragedy.  

The second half of the concert saw Boyzlife, Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden, take to the stage. Keith Duffy told those gathered they were here to celebrate the people we have loved and lost.

“We wanted to let you know that we haven’t forgotten and we just wanted to remind you that not a day goes by when we don’t think about you,” Brian McFadden said.  

Gallery: A sold-out night at ‘Together for Creeslough’ concert

The Aura Centre in Letterkenny is packed to capacity tonight for the ‘Together for Creeslough’ concert with the fundraiser for the Creeslough Tragedy Fund

The former Westlife singer thanked music promoter, Joe Gallagher, for his unwavering support in organising the event. 

McFadden praised the strength of the community and described the concert as an opportunity to “celebrate the people of Creeslough and how incredible they really were amongst all of this.”

Keith Duffy said that when they sat down to discuss which songs they would sing at the Aura event they knew they would pay tribute to their friend Stephen Gately who sadly passed away in 2009: “We are sharing that song with you,” Keith said. 

“We are going to take a few moments and to keep alive the memory of Stephen Gately who was a huge part of our lives,” Keith said. 

He asked all those gathered in the Aura to light up their mobile phones and throughout the Aura the light broke through the darkness creating a moving and emotive moment.  

Later Brian McFadden spoke of how he heard about the Creeslough explosion while in England and watched news of the tragedy filter throughout the world. 

He said he watched with pride as the people of Creeslough and Donegal united and worked together in the aftermath of the Creeslough tragedy. 

“It made me so proud to be from Dongal and I want to dedicate this song to the wonderful, wonderful people of Donegal,” he said. 

A fantastic night of song and music underway at 'Together for Creeslough'

'Although this happened in Creeslough it happened to all of the Donegal people because we were all with you’ - co-host Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh said tonight at the 'Together for Creeslough' fundraiser in Letterkenny, where a host of top acts are performing

Brian’s parents were both in the audience at the concert. Brian’s father Brendan is from Creeslough. Brian recalled his youth in Donegal and how the smell of turf brings him back to his home in Creeslough. He recalled getting his first ‘snog’ being the Corncutters, drinking his first pint of Smithwicks, playing his first game of golf on the red roof and going to his uncle Pats for sweets.

McFadden said that he had wanted to do something to show his appreciation to the people and what they went through and spoke of his love for his family and the people of Creeslough.