Concert to raise funds for cancer treatment for Gaoth Dobhair's Ann Ní Mhaonaigh

A concert to raise funds for cancer treatment for a much-loved local musician and mother, Ann Ní Mhaonaigh, is set to take place in Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair on Saturday,  December 3, at 8pm.  

The concert will feature Altan, Na Mooneys and Ciarán agus Cáitlín; many of whom are members of Anna’s beloved family. Other stars are also expected to take to the stage.

Ann’s sister, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, said people can make a donation at the door, on the night, and she hopes many will  be in attendance. Ann will be present on the night of the concert, she said.

The internationally recognised performer thanked Eoghain Mac Giolla Bhríde, of Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair, for organising the fundraising event. 

The Gaoth Dobhair singer and musician said her sister has been undergoing many different treatments over the past month and is in a positive frame of mind.

A concert which is to take place this Monday night in Dublin, to raise funds for Ann, has sold out such is the level of support for Ann who is well-known in the television and film industry in Ireland. 

Background

In November 2020, Ann received the devastating news that she had a large cancerous tumour that had spread to her liver and lymph nodes. She underwent major surgery, a year later, and was told she was free of cancer. However, two weeks after her fifty-seventh birthday Ann received the heartbreaking news that the cancer had returned. Her family were told their only option was palliative care and Ann had months to a year left to live.

Fight for life

Ann’s daughter Róise set up a Go Fund Me page to help raise funds for her mother in her battle against cancer. The page explains the difficult financial situation presented by Anna’s illness: “While creating massive financial burdens, cancer also took away Ann’s ability to earn a living. We learned the hard way that without enough PRSI contributions, self-employed people cannot claim illness benefits. As a result, last year, Ann was left with little choice but to return to work alongside her chemotherapy which added unnecessary hardship to her healing journey. With her latest diagnosis, she is now unable to work and has no source of income.”

Despite the financial constraints, Ann is a fighter and her family believe she can defy the odds. In recent weeks, a clinic in Spain was identified that could treat Ann and the family are delighted that she will not have to travel too far away from Ireland for treatment.  

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Róise said: “She would not be able to travel abroad pain-free if it wasn't for the other supporting treatments she has been doing, including a specific supplement protocol from an amazing clinical nutritionist we were referred to.”

To date, the Go Fund Me page has raised over €90,000. People are urged to come along and enjoy the concert on December 3 at the Amharclann and you can also donate to Go Fund Me page here.