The Tyneside Irish Centre recently launched a new project for its older Irish members. Called the “Tara Club” as a homage to the weekly club that ran in the city’s Pilgrim Street when many of the 1950’s emigrants first set foot in the “toon”, it aims to provide a monthly reunion for some of the Irish who have made their home in the North East since then. Over sixty of them enjoyed a hot lunch at the first meeting which was followed by an excellent spot from Dermot Hegarty the famous recording artist from Longford.
Dermot now lives on Teesside and is a staunch supporter of the Irish community in the region. Paying tribute to him, Tony Corcoran (Secretary of the Irish Centre) said: “Not long ago he rushed back from starring on a Caribbean cruise to play a free gig for us in a Sunderland church hall. That’s some dedication from a man who has never forgotten where he came from or lost his love for Ireland”
Dermot will be back in Newcastle for the next Tara lunch on Friday 7th December from 12.30. It’s free but numbers are limited so it’s best to phone Pauline O’Donnell on 0191 2610384(option 1) or better still send an email to tyneirishcentre@btconnect.com.
The Tara Club continues in 2019 on the first Friday of every month till 7th June. It is sponsored by the Government of Ireland’s Emigrant Support Programme.