Ben’s Big Night with the Stars raises over €25k

By Rebekah O'Reilly

Ben's Big Night with the Stars was a sell-out success as hundreds turned out to raise money for The Gavin Glynn Foundation and Oscar's Kids.

The concert took place in the Tullamore Court Hotel on Wednesday, May 7, in memory of little Ben Lawlor from Tullamore, who tragically passed last year following his diagnosis with a brain tumour in November 2023.

“The audience on the night was fantastic, everything went seamlessly, and the show itself was great," said Ben's grandfather, Irish entertainer Dave Lawlor. “Everybody got behind us, and I knew I would have the support of the Irish music community. The concert raised money for two incredible causes, and there was a great line-up. Tickets sold out within weeks, which caught us off guard. It was amazing."

There was a huge amount of star power on the night, with Dave being joined by the talents of John Byrne, Ruaile Buaile, Mike Denver, The Rosney Family, The Conquerors, Simon Casey, Claudia Buckley, Mike Denver, Gina, Red Hurley, Nathan Carter, Ronan Collins, Mary Byrne, and Jimmy Buckley.

Speaking about the support of his fellow Irish music stars, Dave said they're like family.

“I would work with a lot of those in the line-up over in Spain during the summer months. After Ben had passed, they said if there’s anything we can do to help, just let us know.

“When I reached out about Ben’s Big Night with the Stars, there was no question. It’s one big family. It’s terrific and we all do it for one another. “I thank God for them and the fact that they were all off on the one night - little Ben must’ve been looking down on us for that to align. It was just great.”

On the night, Ben’s Big Night with the Stars raised over €25,000 for both The Gavin Glynn Foundation and Oscar’s Kids.

The Gavin Glynn Foundation’s mission is to assist families with all the logistics and financial aspects of travelling overseas for specialist cancer treatment.

Oscar’s Kids supports families going through childhood cancer with both emotional and practical assistance, including funding for research, providing fun activities and treats for children, and building a supportive community for parents.

“I have first-hand experience with The Gavin Glynn Foundation and Oscar’s Kids through my late grandson Ben,” Dave said. “The Gavin Glynn Foundation organised everything for Ben when he had to travel to Manchester for a six-week-long treatment, and they looked after my son Brian, his wife Louise and Ben’s little brother Finn during that difficult time.

“Oscar’s Kids looked after Ben in his final weeks. The amount of work they did for Ben I’ll never forget. They are connected to Dublin Fire Brigade, and they made both Ben and Finn honorary members of the Fire Brigade.

“You don’t realise how much work these charities do until you need them,” he said, adding that Ben’s parents, Brian and Louise, got so much support and help from both organisations.

Both groups only receive funding from donations, and so he wanted to do something to give back so other families and little kids could get the support they needed.

Some lucky raffle winners on the night took home fantastic prizes, including two holidays to Torremolinos, Spain in September, where many of the incredible entertainers from Ben’s Big Night with the Stars will perform, and four tickets for Nathan Carter’s upcoming concerts taking place in July of this year.

Dave extended his thanks to Tullamore Court Hotel for hosting the event, to the high class line-up of musicians who provided the unforgettable entertainment, as well as to Gordon Maxwell and all those at GM promotions, Eddie Rowley from the Sunday World, Express Print in Mullingar, and all sponsors on the night.

“We got everything for free on the night, so that all the money raised could go directly to those worthy charities that need it the most. I couldn’t be more grateful for all those who sponsored and supported the event, and everyone who showed up on the night.”