CHEVRON’S PRIZED GUITARS DONATED TO THE MUSIC STUDENTS OF

MOUNTJOY PRISON BY BILLY BRAGG IN THE FIRST

‘JAIL GUITAR DOORS’ INITIATIVE IN IRELAND

Three of the most prized guitars from the late Philip Chevron’s collection are to be presented to music students inmates in Mountjoy Prison by Billy Bragg in the first JAIL GUITAR DOORS initiative in the Republic of Ireland on 14^th October, 2014.

In keeping with one of Chevron’s final wishes prior to his death in October 2013, the presentation will be made in an intimate ceremony to be held at Mountjoy on October 14th. The ceremony will be attended by former colleagues, friends and family of the late Radiators from Space and Pogues guitarist. The initiative has been warmly welcomed and has the full support of the Director General Irish Prison Service, Mr. Michael Donnellan, the Governer of Mountjoy, Mr. Brian Murphy, both of whom will attend the ceremony, and has also received the personal support of President Michael D. Higgins.

Campus Governor Brian Murphy said that Mountjoy Prison was honored to accept the donation of three of Philip’s guitars on behalf of the Irish Prison Service and for being the first prison in Ireland selected for this ‘Jail Guitar Doors’ initiative . Speaking today Governor Murphy said “Music and the arts play a very important role in the rehabilitation of prisoners and it enables them to address problems in a non-confrontational way. Music, as we know, has a redemptive quality and can act as catalyst for further engagement with the rehabilitative services available for prisoners in all our prison schools. The students in the Mountjoy Prison School have a long history of engagement in music and this donation may serve to inspire more of our offenders to get involved”

Billy Bragg was approached by Chevron weeks before his death with the idea that he would make the donation of the instruments after his passing as part of Bragg’s JAIL GUITAR DOORS initiative which is committed to providing musical instruments and equipment to help rehabilitate inmates serving time across the world.  “Jail Guitar Doors believes that music can help offenders on the path to rehabilitation. Phillip and I spoke about how his guitar collection could make a contribution to this process. Thanks to his insightful donation, Jail Guitar Doors is able to take its first steps in Ireland, having provided guitars to over 50 prisons in the UK in the past seven years”  Billy Bragg.

Chevron’s sister, Deborah Blacoe, will also be in attendance and has thanked all concerned for their efforts in realising her brother’s final wish.“My brother Philip had many, many talents. He used all of them to the best of his ability during his lifetime. In his inherent sense of inclusivity, he now bequeaths his favourite guitars so that others may develop their talents, perhaps leading to new and rewarding opportunities.”

A evening to celebrate the life and work of Philip Chevron, CHEVRON LIVES, will be held on Sunday 23rd November in The Sugar Club, Dublin and will feature contributions from Roddy Doyle, Joseph O’Connor and The Trouble Pilgrims, doors at 7.30pm, tickets available form www.thesugarclub.com