Mayo fundraisers select Sunflower Children’s Hospice as charity partner
Hollymount Community Development has officially launched its Lip Sync 2027 fundraiser, which will take place in the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris, on Saturday, February 13.
It follows on from their very successful Lip Sync fundraiser held in 2024, also in the McWilliam Park Hotel, where over 700 people attended what was a most enjoyable night.
This year’s charity partner is Sunflower Children’s Hospice, Castlebar.
Hollymount Community Development chairperson Noel Connelly explained the reasoning for going back to the Lip Sync themed night once again.
“Our Lip Sync night in 2024 was our first big fundraiser in Hollymount Community Development and it was a huge success.
"The money we raised from that event allowed us to improve our facilities here in Hollymount/Carramore GAA Club and included pitch drainage, seats for the stand, pitch lighting, gym facilities, disabled parking, a 4G astroturf training pitch, and a 1km community walkway.
“We now have other projects to complete in phase two: a second training pitch, and to finish off the walkway. We hope that with this fundraiser in February coupled with grants, that we will be able to complete the required work.”
Noel said the new works will be of huge benefit to Hollymount/Carramore GAA Club and Hollymount LGFA Club. “It will be of huge benefit to the club. Most clubs have men’s and women’s teams, and you need all the facilities to cater for those teams, as well as the underage teams we have in the club.
"We already have a fine astroturf pitch for the winter months, and if we get the second pitch completed it will be of huge benefit to the club and the area.
“Football in the county is on a high and of course the All-Ireland final this year is only going to increase that. Rural football clubs play a key role in the community and Gaelic football has always been deeply rooted in Hollymount.”
The chairperson is hoping to see a total of 16 acts take part in the Lip Sync battle, an increase of two compared to 2024.
“The key about lip sync is to get as many people on stage as we can and that generates support for each person who is on the stage performing.
"The more people we have on stage then the more money we can generate for the club. Each person on stage has a support base off stage and that is how the revenue is created.”
The 2024 event saw support from as far away as the US. “We even had fundraising support from the US and the UK the last time out. We had a huge buy-in back in 2024.
“Once the acts are confirmed the momentum then starts to build, and there is of course the great support we receive here in the village. Hopefully there will be a huge buzz around the community in the five to six weeks leading up to the event.
“The night itself back in 2024 was fantastic and it was one of the best events that the club has ever held. That is why we have decided to go back to the same themed night again. Hopefully it will prove to be another well-supported event on the night.”
Noel also has words of encouragement for any budding stars trying to build up the courage to take part.
“People in the audience want to see people on stage who are out of their comfort zone! However, that is the fun of it, they are not singing and are just miming the songs and are also taught how to dance to the song by our dance choreographer. The whole thing really comes together during the last three to four weeks of rehearsals.
“I would encourage people who are interested to pluck up the courage and get on stage as they won’t be disappointed. Our first get-together is in Hollymount Hall, on November 7 and Lip Sync Battle Ireland will also be in attendance.
"That night the groups will be formed, and they will choose the act and music on the night. The dance routines will then be choreographed, and it really kicks on from there.
“We hope to get all of the acts up and running and that we get the buy-in from the local community as well - and that they support the smaller fundraising events in the lead-up to the lip sync night.
“We hope that this event will be a success and allow us to complete the developments at our grounds.”
To find out information on how to join the lip sync battle, or to volunteer in the lead up to the event, please visit the Hollymount/Carramore GAA Club Facebook page.