The Gig For Robbie Brennan, held at the Olympia Theatre on Monday night last, raised €12,515 for MQI Merchant's Quay, Ireland.

The gig brought together some of the leading lights on the Irish scene over the past 40 years, to celebrate the memory of one of the country’d finest ever sticks-men. Robbie Brennan was best known as a member of Stepaside, but he had played along the way with Rootzgroup, The Chosen Few and Skid Row. He also played with Scullion and featured on countless recordings, including two successful Christmas singles by Hot Press and the Silent Knights. He also played drums on The Brothers’ 1991 album. Torch.

Among the many who played on the night were Paul Brady, Stepaside, Mary Coughlan, Scullion, Jimmy Smyth, Jerome Rimson, Honor Heffernan, Philip Donnelly, Noel Bridgeman’s Drummers for Robbie Brennan, Frankie Lane and Paul Kelly, Auto Da Fé (fronted by Gay Woods), Brush Shiels, Leo O’Kelly and Ed Deane – among many more. Also performing on the night was Hot Press editor Niall Stokes, who played a version of Ry Cooder, John Hiatt and Jim Dickenson’s ‘Across The Borderline’, with Van Morrison guitarist Dave Keary on slide.

Among the MCs on the night were Pat Egan, Stevie Bolger, D.J. Lee, Pat Byrne and Niall Stokes.

"MQI Merchant's Quay, help the homeless everyday,” organised Terry O’Neill said, "but it was great that we all got to help them for one night.”

All told it was a great result, and a hugely positive outcome – from what was a wonderful night of music.