David Gray’s long awaited World Tour is raising funds to help save the Irish Curlew

Multi-platinum singer songwriter David Gray is set to perform Cork’s Musgrave Park this month as part of his anticipated world tour and has selected Curlew Action as his chosen charity. Concertgoers at his gig in Cork will be played a short film and asked to donate to Curlew Action.

David Gray says that the sound of the curlew has enchanted and inspired him ever since her was a little boy, and the curlew that was once widespread in Ireland has suffered the most horrific declines. “When Packie Bonner saved that penalty in Italia 90, there were more than 5,000 breeding pairs in Ireland, now there are fewer than 130”. Gray describes the Curlew’s song as haunting and unforgettable, and the very essence of our wild places.

The Curlew is the only Irish bird on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Ireland’s largest wader is famous for its evocative call, the species is also distinguished by long legs, bulky greyish brown body, a long neck with dark streaking across the body.

Image: Conor Rowlands

According to www.curlewaction.org “widespread changes to the countryside have seen their numbers dramatically decline, especially over the last 40 years. In Southern Ireland curlews have decreased by over 90%, in Wales by over 80% and on average a 60% loss throughout England and Scotland since the 1980s.”

Donate to Curlew Action