Strabane dance raises almost £5,000 for Rory Carlin Memorial Fund

A Strabane man has praised the local community after raising over £4,600 for alcohol and drug awareness at a hugely successful charity concert held in memory of his late son.

Dominic Carlin, who has campaigned tirelessly since the tragic death of his son Rory due to substance misuse, hosted a ‘Country Music Night’ at St Pat’s Hall last month.

The event, compered by Strabane’s own Hugo Duncan, brought together some of country music’s most beloved performers including Brendan Shine, Shawn Cuddy, Curtis Magee, and Boxcar Brian.

The night of music and remembrance drew a large crowd and featured a raffle with a host of generous prizes donated by local businesses and individuals.

In total, £4,687 was raised for the Rory Carlin Memorial Fund, which now stands at an impressive £140,000.

The fund supports awareness campaigns and vital mental health services, including work with The Koram Centre, to help educate people – especially young people – about the dangers of alcohol and drug misuse.

In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Mr Carlin said: “We would like to thank Hugo Duncan and friends for a very successful country music night in St Pat’s Hall, raising £4,687. This night would not have been such a success without the support of the Strabane people and our local communities. I would like to thank local businesses and individuals who provided raffle prizes, the hard-working staff of St Pat’s Hall, and all our family and friends who helped to make the night possible.”

He concluded with a powerful reminder, “Remember: Your life matters.”