BBC News | ENTERTAINMENT | Irish stars sing for peace

Pop groups the Corrs and B*witched headlined a sell-out concert in London to raise money for peace projects in Northern Ireland.

The bands were part of an all-Irish line-up at the Royal Albert Hall, which was attended by The Duke of York and Northern Ireland secretary Peter Mandelson.

All the artists gave their services for free and it is estimated they raised �54,000 for organisers Co-Operation Ireland - a charity which aims to promote closer links between the north and south.

As well as The Corrs and B*Witched, the audience were treated to sets by The Dubliners, the Saw Doctors and tenor Finbar Wright.

Ardal O'Hanlon, who played Father Dougal in the television series Father Ted, provided some comic relief, while chat show presenter Patrick Kielty and Shauna Lowry compered the event.

During the evening Mr Mandelson got on stage to make a speech praising the organisation.

Peter Mandelson
Mandelson: lent support to peace concert
He said: "Co-operation Ireland does an incredibly good job and I would like to to pay tribute to it and to all those who work in it, from the bottom of my heart."

He insisted the people of Ireland have more uniting them than dividing them, even during difficult times.

The Duke - whose mother The Queen is the joint patron of the charity, along with Irish President Mary McAleese - met many of the stars backstage.

Tony Kennedy, chief executive of Co-operation Ireland, thanked the artists for performing free.

Delighted

He added: "We are delighted that His Royal Highness accepted our invitation to attend the Concert for Peace.

"Both the generous response of the British public and the attendance of the Duke of York shows the extent to which people in Britain care for, and believe in, supporting peace in Ireland."

Co-operation Ireland was founded in 1979 to work to advance mutual understanding and respect between the people of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

It works through promoting practical co-operation between youth and community groups and businesses north and south of the border.

The organisation is strictly non-political and non-sectarian.


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