Ireland's most famous traditional troubadour Donal Lunny will perform in the Ardilaun Hotel tonight, Wednesday 23 July, at 8pm.

Donal Lunny.

This gig titled 'Galway to Gaza Gig' is being organised by the Galway Palestinian Children's Appeal, which is aiming to raise funds to send much needed medical supplies to Gaza, the West Bank and Southern Lebanon.

Donal Lunny needs no introduction to Irish music lovers. Perhaps, it is just as well, as he probably has the longest CV in the Irish music scene. His music career spans more than 40 years and he has been at the cutting edge of Irish traditional music for all of that time. He has been an essential ingredient to many of Ireland's bands, such as Planxty, the Bothy Band, Moving Hearts and many more – all of them household names.

He will be accompanied by a host of well-known musicians, singers and dancers, all of whom are providing their services free of charge.

Galway's Máirtín ó Connor will feature prominently and no doubt Patrick and Gearóid Devaney, two of Conamara's well-known Sean Nós dancers, will make use of his talents on the accordion. There will also be a wealth of traditional singers from the Sean Nós singing El Safty sisters to Mary McPartlan.

And then there is the band Rís, which fuses ultra modern sounds with the lyrical beauty of the Irish language. There is, however, a broad complement of traditional musicians to accompany Donal Lunny on stage, including Eana Ó Cróinín, an award winning piper from the Oireachtas and Fleadh Ceoils. Other well-known musicians such as Brian McGrath, Paudie Breathnach and Feargal Ó Beara will also join Donal on the night.

The Galway to Gaza Gig is just the start of a series of events to raise much-needed funds to offer medical assistance to the people of Palestine.

A month after the Donal Lunny Gig, there will be a sponsored walk and climb of Croagh Patrick on Saturday 23 August. Galway's Palestinian Children's Appeal is hoping to attract walkers and climbers to join in this ascent of Mayo's most famous peak.

On that evening there will be a knees-up for all those still able to lift their legs in Matt Molloy's pub in Westport.

And an Art Auction is being planned for September in the g Hotel.

The Galway-based charity is also appealing to hospitals and pharmacies in the West of Ireland and elsewhere for any surplus instruments, equipment or drugs that could be sent to Gaza, the West Bank and Southern Lebanon.

Tickets, €40 and are available in The Crane Bar and from organisers of the event on 087-8380224.

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