Music
06 Jun 24

Damien Dempsey pledges support and sings 'Colony' for Ride For Gaza

Damien Dempsey. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

The singer pledged his support for the fundraiser cycle for Palestine in a video message before singing a snippet of ‘Colony’.

ACLAÍ Palestine posted a video yesterday of Dublin singer Damien Dempsey voicing his support for their ongoing fundraiser cycle Ride For Gaza around Ireland.

Dempsey opened the message saying “I just want to pledge my support for two young Irish men who are cycling around Ireland, just to try and raise money to feed hungry families on the ground in Gaza.”

The artist then broke into song, saying “I sing the song of the colony/ How many years and yet we’re still not free/ And your mother cries/ and you ask God why/ Greed as a knife and the scars run deep/ How many races with much reason to weep/ and your children cry/ Oh you ask God why?”

ACLAÍ Palestine expressed their gratitude at the message and said they have gotten a “huge boost” from it as they make their way towards Dublin on the penultimate leg of their cycle around Ireland.

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Dempsey's song ‘Colony’ shines a light on those who have suffered from colonisation and poverty, his lyrics stating “time after time, after crime after crime, they raped, robbed, pillaged, enslaved and murdered/ Bible in one hand and a sword in the other, they came to purify my land.”

Ending the video, the singer said: “One race: human. Look after each other, no matter what colour, no matter what creed. Slán, slán a chairde.”

ACLAÍ Palestine is a community gym and movement space located in the Lajee Centre in the Aida refugee camp in West Bank Palestine.

Founder of ACLAÍ Palestine Ainle Ó Cairealláin and trad artist Stíofán Ó Luachráin are the two cyclists who have embarked on the journey, in a collaboration with Cairde na Palaistíne Bhéal Feirste, Glór na Móna, Beit Lahia Development Association, and Gaza Stars Circus School.

The cycle was originally aiming to raise €30,000 for aid packages for families in Gaza, but reached that goal within the first five days of the cycle and are now aiming for €60,000.

The cycle began on the 25 May spanning 1500 kilometres from Belfast to Meath “the long way round”, and will finish on June 7 Féile na Gaelaí, Ráth Cairn, Meath.

A fundraiser is taking place this evening in The Hut, Phibsborough as the penultimate stop before Ride for Gaza finishes in Meath tomorrow.