Eurovision winner to speak at St Mary's Parish family day

The annual St Mary's Parish family day will be held in Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Coosan on Sunday next, September 8 at 12 noon. This year the guest speaker will be former Eurovision Song Contest winner Charlie McGettigan.

Performing alongside Paul Harrington, McGettigan memorably won the Eurovision in 1994 with "Rock 'n' Roll Kids". The song was written by Brendan Graham and it was Ireland's third year in a row to win the famous song contest.

McGettigan will speak during next Sunday's Mass in Coosan, with other events to follow afterwards.

In addition to his enduring popularity as a singer, McGettigan has struck a chord with many people for talking movingly in the past about the tragic death of his young son Shane. A former Leitrim footballer, Shane (21) and Ronan Stewart (24) both died as a result of a workplace accident on a construction site in Boston in 1998.

The St Mary's Parish family day has been running in Athlone for several years. On Sunday after Mass in Coosan, there will be refreshments served, while games for children and music will take place adjacent to the church. And there is a strong possibility that Charlie McGettigan will bring his guitar along to join in with the music on the day. All are welcome to attend.