Some of Donegal’s most talented musicians have banded together to help save one of Donegal most famous shipwrecks.
Video: Sonia Nic Giolla Easbuig An Baile.ie
A dramatic sunset concert was held Machaire Chlochair beach in Bunbeg last Saturday to launch a major fundraising campaign to preserve Bád Eddie. The shipwreck is an iconic sight in Gaoth Dobhair, but is currently in danger of collapsing into the sea.
The local community is hoping to act fast to save Bád Eddie before it is destroyed forever. A committee is working to raise money to preserve and design a structure to replace Bád Eddie whenever the inevitable happens.
In support of the project, leading West Donegal musicians came out in force to perform a live concert and highlight the campaign. Featuring Bád Eddie in the backdrop, the concert was a special event that was watched worldwide online. Moya Brennan, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Emma Ní Fhíoruisce are among the artists who proudly took part in the ‘Ceolchoirm Luí na Gréine’ session organised by LIGID Léiriúcháin / anbaile.ie.
The event was also a celebration for anbaile.ie that broadcast ‘Live Sunsets’ from Machaire Chlochair beach since March 2020 and last Saturday night marked over a million people from all over the world who have seen the series.
The Bád Eddie fundraising committee are appealing for support via GoFundMe as they work to save the ‘heartbeat of the parish’.
Bád Eddie
The shipwreck, named Cara na Mara (Friend of the Sea), was first towed into Magheraclogher Beach in Gweedore, Co Donegal in 1977. She was a large fishing boat and was on the beach as she needed two planks repaired. Fast forward to 2017 and the boat is still sitting on the beach, better known now as ‘Bád Eddie’. Since 1977, she was in the video ‘In a Lifetime’ by Clannad and BONO, she appeared in VOGUE magazine and she inspired Michael Moore to finish his book ‘Dude Where’s My Country’ while he looked out at her beauty. She is a huge attraction for people seeking a photo of the iconic structure.
The committee wrote: “Thousands enjoy Bád Eddie when they visit Gweedore and we as a committee would like your support to preserve what is left of her and to design a structure that will combine the bones of what is left of the boat with a replica structure designed to be a permanent fixture on the beach in Bunbeg.
“We would like to raise money to protect the image of what is the focal point of our parish and the money raised will give a good start to the project. We thank you for your interest and your contribution, ‘Bád Eddie’ committee.”
Visit the Bád Eddie GoFundMe page here: https://gf.me/u/yn3v39
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