By Katie Ascough - 01 November, 2019
Tomorrow, Saturday 2 November, is a packed day for the pro-life movement in Dublin as the annual Pro Life Campaign (PLC) National Conference and Pro-Life Youth Gala Dinner in aid of Hugh’s House take place.
The PLC National Conference will be from 1 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. in the RDS Concert Hall, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, and the Youth Gala Dinner will be from 7.30 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the Thomas Prior Hall at the Clayton Hotel, Ballsbridge.
Ashley Bratcher, lead actress in the highly successful movie Unplanned, will be the keynote speaker at tomorrow’s conference.
The movie Unplanned, about Abby Johnson’s journey from Planned Parenthood abortion clinic director to one of America’s most articulate pro-life voices, reached No. 4 in box-office sales across the US earlier this year. It also proved a hit with audiences in Ireland following its recent release in cinemas nationwide.
Commenting on the Irish screenings and Ashley Bratcher’s upcoming visit to Ireland, Eilís Mulroy of the Pro Life Campaign said: “There was only four days’ notice prior to the opening of Unplanned in Irish cinemas but night after night for three weeks the screenings were packed out. There is still huge potential for this movie in Ireland. It is changing hearts and minds and getting people thinking. We are thrilled that Ashley Bratcher will be the keynote speaker at our conference in the RDS on Saturday. There will also be a special screening of the movie with Ashley present.”
Mrs Mulroy noted that there will be a Q&A session after the screening where attendees will be able to hear about Ashley’s own impactful personal story related to the abortion issue. “It’s a side of the abortion debate that people desperately need to hear at this time in Ireland given all the changes that have taken place recently regarding the issue,” Mulroy said.
In her review of the movie, pro-abortion journalist Bridgette Bayley of the Central Florida Post wrote: “I went into that theatre thinking there was nothing that could go onto that screen that would make me question myself, and I was wrong. What I saw did make me question myself and my beliefs, and I believe that everyone should go and test themselves like I did.”
Admission to the PLC National Conference tomorrow is free, but donations are welcome. To register click here or call (01) 662 9275. If you are travelling from Galway and wish to avail of a free seat on a bus, email galway4life@gmail.com.
Three hours after the conference, young people aged 18 to 35 are invited to attend the annual Pro-Life Youth Gala Dinner. Profit from the night will be donated to Hugh’s House, a charity which provides accommodation every day of the year to families of children who are long-term in-patients of Temple Street, Holles Street, the Coombe and Rotunda hospitals.
According to founder and organiser Patrick Martin, the evening will include a Prosecco drinks reception, a three-course meal, a raffle with prizes including a two-night stay for two in a hotel in Wexford, DJ-led dancing until late into the night, and more. The event is black tie optional and tickets can be bought for €75 by emailing prolifeyouthireland@gmail.com.
