Mayo Rape Crisis Centre to celebrate 30 years of support

Mayo Rape Crisis Centre are celebrating 30 years of providing free, confidential support in the community to survivors of sexual violence and their supporters.

The organisation will mark three decades of support with a spectacular night of music and song in Knockranny House Hotel, Westport, Thursday, May 2. 

Performing on the night will be the finest of Mayo musical talent under the direction of musical supreme, Catherine McGlinchey, including soprano Anne Marie Gibbons, Music West Big Band, BellaCapella, the Moy Singers, Westport Town Hall Community Choir, and many more. 

Hosted by Midwest Radio’s Teresa O’Malley, the event is designed to acknowledge not just the work of the centre, but more importantly, to celebrate the stories of surviving and healing that have emerged from its doors. 

The event will recognise the powerful progress of victims, many of whom have overcome highly traumatic experiences to reclaim their voices and their lives. 

Director of Services at Mayo Rape Crisis Centre, Loretta Brosnan McDonagh said this year marks 30 years of ‘witnessing the stark reality of just how prevalent sexual violence is in Mayo’. 

However, this event is to give a voice to survivors of that violence, their strength, creativity and imagination, and to acknowledge the power of ‘safe hands’ when a victim or a supporter reaches out to a service like Mayo Rape Crisis Centre. 

“It is a privilege to support them on their journey of healing here in the community, and their dignity and power deserves to be celebrated,” she said.

Mayo Rape Crisis Centre was founded in 1994 by Ruth MacNeely, Fiona Neary and Mary Diggin in response to the lack of services or support in Mayo for women who had experienced sexual violence, abuse or rape.

Over the past 30 years, Mayo Rape Crisis Centre has provided a free, safe, confidential, and highly specialised support service at grassroots level for thousands of survivors of sexual violence and their families.

Co-ordinating the night's entertainment is local musician Catherine McGlinchey, an experienced musical director and choir leader from Westport.

Commenting on the event, Ms McGlinchey said she was honoured to be involved.  

“A wonderful night of entertainment is in store, provided by talented acts from around the county,” she promised.

Chairperson of the Mayo Rape Crisis Centre Board, Beverley Flynn said it is ‘an ideal time’ to reflect on the ‘complex nature of the supports needed to ensure the sustainability of this essential service into the future’. 

“To meet the continuous growing demand for the service, Mayo Rape Crisis Centre is in urgent need of new, more suitable premises in the county town, and more outreach facilities in other parts of the county. Funds raised from this event will help to achieve those goals,” she concluded.

Tickets for the event are available now on Eventbrite, Mayo Rape Crisis Centre’s website or associated social media pages. 

The centre can be contacted via free phone helpline number 1800 234 900, via email info@mrcc.ie, or via their website.