Final ‘Seán’s Shindig’ event in Thurles set to mark an emotional milestone
One last hoorah to mark 10 years of celebrating the memory of Seán Doran
‘Seán’s Shindig’ is set to take place in Hickey’s Pub, Thurles this coming bank holiday weekend on May 31 and will mark 10 years since the passing of local boy Seán Doran.
The event will also be the final Seán’s Shindig after almost a decade of annual nights that brought together family, friends, musicians and the wider community to remember the much-loved little boy while also raising money for charities helping seriously ill children and their families.
Seán passed away in February 2016 after turning five years old just one month earlier. He was diagnosed with an aggressive childhood cancer called neuroblastoma in March 2014 and battled the illness bravely for two years.
After already facing incredible tragedy, the family were faced with another battle a number of years later when Seán’s younger brother Mikey, who never got the chance to meet him, was diagnosed with childhood leukaemia before turning one. Thankfully, Mikey is now healthy and doing well, but the years since Seán’s diagnosis have been an incredibly difficult journey for parents Nicola and James Doran and their sons Dylan and Mikey but they have faced it all with great strength and the support of a fantastic collection of family and friends.
Speaking ahead of this year’s event, Seán’s parents said the night first began as a way of keeping Seán’s memory alive while also giving something back to the charities and organisations that supported them through the hardest years of their lives.
They said Seán loved two things more than anything else, music and tractors, and it was his love of music that became the inspiration behind the fundraiser.
Music has always been a huge part of family life for the Dorans, with many relatives and close friends involved in local bands and the wider music scene around Thurles and Tipperary.
Since the first Shindig was held in 2016, the nights have raised an estimated €80,000 for charities and organisations including Ronald McDonald House, Aoibheann’s Pink Tie, Make-A-Wish, Little Blue Heroes, Childhood Cancer Ireland, Milford Hospice and St John’s Ward in Crumlin.
This year all proceeds from the event will go to Barretstown, the well-known charity camp which supports children affected by serious illness and their families.
The family said the support they received from the local community over the years has been “unbelievable”, with local businesses, musicians, neighbours, friends and family all helping to make the fundraiser a success year after year.
Apart from two years during the Covid-19 pandemic, Seán’s Shindig has taken place every year since his passing, with some nights proving so popular that Hickey’s Pub was filled to capacity and were having to turn away people at the door.
The family said this year’s event will feel “a little bit more special” because it is the final one and admitted it will likely be an emotional night by the end.
The family also paid tribute to the late David “Sully” O’Sullivan, a hugely respected musician, sound technician and well-known figure in the Thurles music scene, who passed away suddenly in May 2023.
Sully played at the very first Seán’s Shindig and continued to support the fundraiser over the years. The Doran family said they always make a point of remembering and mentioning him at the event because of the friendship and support he showed them from the very beginning.
This year’s event will also see family friend Michelle King helping to lead the night as MC, with the family praising her for the huge support and effort she has given in promoting this year’s final Shindig.
Music on the night will come from The Final Salute Band, Streams of Whiskey, The Doran’s, Seamus Moore, Seanie and James, while DJ Doran will also perform.
Seán’s Shindig takes place in Hickey’s Pub, Thurles on Sunday, May 31, with music beginning from 6pm. Entry is €20, with raffle prizes also taking place on the night, and all proceeds going to Barretstown.