February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
“I was more than delighted to help,” said Conor Foy, a Rathfarmham, Dublin native, and one of the contributing artists whose work will be on sale at the fundraiser for the East Village church campaign.
“When you consider all of the factors, it’s a good cause to donate to,” said Nessa Ryan, a Williamsburg-based painter who’s originally from Dundalk, Co. Louth.
Ryan, who studied at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, approached her friend Foy, a fellow 1990s immigrant, about supporting it.
“I already knew about St. Brigid’s and how the Irish built it in 1848,” said Foy, who studied for his MFA at Columbia University and has had a studio in the Dumbo section of Brooklyn for 10 years. “I have a friend who lived across the street from the church.”
Ryan, who is also familiar with Tompkins Square Park, labeled the plan to tear down St. Brigid’s “ridiculously tasteless.”
She added: “You have to preserve that building and the stories attached to it.”
In June, St. Brigid’s campaigners organized a successful evening of readings by Irish and Irish-American writers. More recently, celebrities from the entertainment world, notably comedian Colin Quinn and movie actor Matt Dillon, appeared at a fundraiser organized by the committee and more are expected to sign on to the campaign soon.
Meanwhile, this week, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, State Senator Martin Connor, New York City Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum and Councilwoman Rosie Mendez have jointly called for the Tompkins Square church to be landmarked by the city.
Sunday’s (Dec. 17) Christmas party will take place at Solas Bar, 232 East 9th St., between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, from 6 to 10 p.m.