Nenagh World Aid Society launches fundraising Christmas CD featuring host of local talent

Nenagh World Aid Society was founded in 1966 by Nenagh man John Darmody and continues to send funds to needy people in disadvantaged parts of the world.

The funds are distributed directly, through local contacts to lay and religious people from Nenagh and its hinterland, living and working, mostly in the developing world.

Today, the Society is run by a committee of 13 Nenagh people and allocates up to €15,000 annually to worthy causes. It receives no State grants and all funds are raised locally through street collections, donations and other initiatives, all attesting to the unending generosity of the people of Nenagh.

For Christmas 2023 the Society’s Chairperson, Matt Dillon, has produced a CD of his own self-penned, original songs and music and recorded by professional musicians.

Titled Nenagh Notes, the CD is widely available in shops and businesses in Nenagh in the run-up to Christmas.

Containing 17 tracks, it is priced at €10 and would make an ideal Christmas present.

Every penny from sales of the CD will go directly to Nenagh World Aid Society, with no deductions.

The recording contains a wide variety of tracks, opening with the rousing, ever popular Good Old Nenagh Town sung by Nenagh’s revered crooner, the late, great Joe Hackett, and produced by David and Jason Spain.

Martin Grace provides the words for Ponytail Pat and his Ukulele Lady, which recounts his pleasure on hearing buskers in Limerick’s Cruise’s Street.

My Nenagh Days - a reflective ballad sung by Eamonn Dillon, with accompaniment and production by brother Brian, describes youthful experiences of growing up in Nenagh.

Throughout, there are love songs interspersed with happy sing-alongs. There are serious Christian ballads and questioning and thoughtful renditions such as track 17, It’s Christmastime for Everyone.

The rock tracks 9 and 10: Music Show 1 nostalgically recounts Matt and Marcella’s first date - in Froggies Night Club in the Sail Inn in Dromineer in 1984.

It is immediately followed by the track Music Show 2, which celebrates their 30th wedding anniversary in 2016. These tracks represent and magnificently exemplify the magical musical talents, the masterly vocal qualities and production skills of Limerick’s Pete Creighton, which are displayed throughout the album.

The Millennium Waltz, a quick-time instrumental waltz, composed and recorded by Matt on a four-track home studio in 1999 to mark the advent of the new millennium, was produced by Jason Spain and further demonstrates the depth and diversity to be found in Nenagh World Aid Society’s presentation CD, Nenagh Notes - a must for Nenagh music fans!

Contact: 067-34236; 086-3381400 or email dilmat52@gmail.com