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Hidden Histories: Self-Aid

In the Ireland of 1986, with emigration levels among the highest since the birth of the state, ma...

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12.05 23 May 2021


Hidden Histories: Self-Aid



Share this article

12.05 23 May 2021


In the Ireland of 1986, with emigration levels among the highest since the birth of the state, many of the country's biggest names felt it was time for action.

And so they organised 'Self-Aid' - in many ways a copy of Live-Aid - a 14 hour telethon concert, bringing together the likes of Christy Moore, Elvis Costello, The Pogues, Clannad and headliners U2 to name a few.

But it wasn’t all plain sailing, and the gig had many detractors, even leading to one act pulling out at the eleventh hour.

Gaven Reilly was joined by Donal Fallon for another episode of Hidden Histories to find out more.

Listen and subscribe to On The Record with Gavan Reilly on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.

    

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Read more about

1986 Boomtown Rats Christy Moore Donal Fallon Gavan Reilly Ireland Newstalk On The Record Pogues Self-aid U2 Unemployment

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