When art meets activism: Galway creatives raising money for Palestine
by Aoife Hurley
In the recent year music, art and handmade jewellery have become tools of solidarity in Galway as artists, musicians and organisers channel their creative passions into fundraising for Palestine.
Against the backdrop of escalating violence in Gaza – gigs, pop-up shops and student events have become key outlets for artists and locals to come together and raise money in aid of the ongoing war.
Handmade Jewellery in aid of Palestine
Among those contributing to this wave of grassroots action is Child Youth and Community MA student, Miranda Fayne. The native New Yorker, recently arrived at the University of Galway with more than just her studies in mind.
“When I got here, one of the first things I noticed was how open and free the protests are. Whereas, at least from my experience, in New York and other places in the United States they’re heavily policed,” she said. “I’m not an expert, but I know a lot of people are scared in the activism space.”
Miranda’s journey began at her gigs in New York, where she sold jewellery designed and handcrafted by her friend – artist Carly Siege.
“It kind of clicked for us,”said Miranda, who moved to Galway at the start of this academic year. “There are always ways that you can use your life, what you’re good at, what charges you with passion to help others.”
Miranda has since successfully collaborated with ‘Súil Eile Space’ in Barna, County Galway, to showcase the jewellery and fundraise for a Palestinian family that she has been in contact with since October 2023.
“I think people responded to the cause. A lot of the time, it’s more about the reasons why we’re selling. We got a good response from that community space,” she says on her pop-up stall.
Having released her latest single ‘Dinosaur Figurines’ – Miranda actively involves herself into the Galway music scene. Performing open mic sessions in Liv Vintage Studio and Monroes.
Miranda described the local musicians as next level. “They’re so active for the Palestine movement, queer movements, even the housing crisis. They’re really tapped in.”
Rock N Rag
Sadbh Mannion is a final year student at the University of Galway and has taken on the role of RockSoc’s auditor.
Sadbh recruited Ríona and Katie from the university’s SocsBox, along with MusicSoc and Palestine Solidarity Society to organise a fundraising gig. ‘Rock N Rag’ took place in Sult during the recent student Rag Week.
“I put out an open call and got a great response from our members! People were really eager [to get involved] with such short notice, which was really pleasant.”
She emphasises the importance of what organising an event in support of Palestine means to her: “It really is the most pressing issue of our time, and as students funding a university which has ongoing collaboration with Israeli institutions like Technion, we have a responsibility to take a stand.”
Local bands, Copernicus II and Earthworms, are among the rising talents who took to the stage to help fundraise during the Rock N Rag event.
She tells us: “Rock music – punk in particular – inherently goes against conservative values. It is used to channel frustrations into a form of art. Locally it creates an alternative form of protest to the regular rallying and demonstrations.”
Upcoming event: Gigs for Gaza
For Sadbh, Rock N Rag is only the beginning. She is planning another ‘Gig for Gaza’, in collaboration with Shawn Neiland, who previously organised ‘Westend Gigs for Gaza’. The event will take place in the Róisín Dubh on March 18. This will bring together local bands and musicians from across the country and local DJs to close out the night. Funds raised will go to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund in partnership with the university’s Palestine Solidarity Society.
To purchase Carly and Miranda’s jewellery in aid of Palestinian families you can click their shop below.
Galway’s Sound of Solidarity
