A night of music, poetry, and activism supporting UNICEF in Palestine will be held on Saturday, August 9th at 8 p.m. at the Balor Arts Centre in Ballybofey.
The ‘Gig for Gaza’ aims to demonstrate solidarity and raise vital funds for humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, where nearly half the population are children.
Conor Malone and the Balor Arts Centre are generously donating the venue for the evening, ensuring maximum funds directly benefit those in Palestine.
Reports from Amnesty International, the UN, and genocide experts highlight the dire situation in Palestine. Gazans, already struggling after relentless bombings, now face severe food shortages, with over 470,000 at critical risk of famine and many children succumbing to malnutrition. Despite ongoing challenges, UNICEF remains active on the ground, delivering 26 truckloads of aid, including life-saving food, between May 19th and June 4th, and preparing 1,000 more. All proceeds from the August 9th event will directly aid those facing catastrophic famine.
The evening will feature live poetry by Dublin writer Sarah Creighton Keogh, known for her sharp wit and emotionally resonant work. Her pieces blend humor with raw honesty, exploring themes of feminism, queerness, childhood, and everyday survival. She emphasizes the power of claiming emotional authority and self-expression, viewing poetry as both a release and a protest.
Ballybofey native Jason Deery, a singer-songwriter, will debut new material showcasing evolving sonic textures and storytelling. He will be joined by Jordan and Adam Hannigan. These members of the N15 music collective are long-time collaborators known for energizing the audience.
Shauna Scanlon, a singer/songwriter from Ballybofey, has enjoyed a rapid rise since her debut single ‘Homebird’ last February. With four singles released, significant radio airplay, and a TV appearance on Virgin Media One’s ‘The Six O’Clock Show,’ she released her first EP ‘Brand New’ in March and headlined the Balor in May. Shauna describes her music as a unique blend of soul, blues, funk, and a touch of folk.
The evening will also showcase local talent, including Ballybofey rock duo Nine Foot Lizzards. As members of the local artistic collective N15, Adam Ayers (bass, guitar, vocals) and Matthew Connolly (drums) have been playing together since age 14, developing a strong on-stage rapport. Forming Nine Foot Lizzards in 2021, they focus on writing original music aimed at reintroducing rock ‘n’ roll to younger audiences.
Headlining the event is Final Girl, a four-piece band formed in 2024 quickly gaining attention with their infectious punk melodies, bold distortion, and subtle pop elements. Formerly known as Polxroid, Final Girl represents another emerging Donegal band currently recording their debut EP. Composed of Catherine Gallagher, Conor Duffy, Ciarán and Seán Coleman, Final Girl embodies a DIY ethic and offers a memorable live sound characterized as ‘Garage punk beside a haunted house.’
The Gig for Gaza is curated by Siobhán Doyle and Daniel Browne, both familiar faces at the Balor. Siobhán, who grew up involved with the Balor, returns to the local arts scene after studying Sustainability. Daniel recently directed The Butt Drama Circle’s successful production of Green Day’s American Idiot at the Balor and has participated in other recent productions.
Tickets are available online by clicking here or from The Balor’s box office on Main Street, Ballybofey.
For those unable to attend or wishing to donate beyond ticket purchase, please visit the iDonate page: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/gigforgazaballybofey
Local talent unites for Gig for Gaza in Ballybofey was last modified: July 26th, 2025 by
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