Self Aid in Dublin aims to help create jobs for the growing numbers of unemployed in Ireland.
30,000 attended the RDS in Dublin's Ballsbridge to watch 27 acts perform during a 14 hour show which was broadcast live on RTÉ television and radio. The one day event was inspired by the success of Live-Aid.
Brush Shiels opened the show with a tribute to Phil Lynott playing 'Whiskey in a Jar'. Also featured in this report are performances from In Tua Nua, De Danann, and The Pogues. Taking to the stage with The Boomtown Rats Bob Geldof pleads with the audience and viewers at home to donate money to the cause.
Ring in with a couple of pints worth of money right now
Other acts performing at the concert included Bagatelle, Blue in Heaven, Stockton's Wing, Clannad, Big Self, Les Enfants, The Chieftans, Chris Rea, Freddie White, Those Nervous Animals, Cactus World News, The Fountainhead, Paul Brady, Auto Da Fé, Moving Hearts, Rory Gallagher, Christy Moore, Elvis Costello, Chris de Burgh, Van Morrison and U2.
Back in the RTÉ Studios in Donnybrook presenters and celebrities manned the phones at the Telethon taking pledges for jobs and financial donations for the cause.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 17 May 1986. The reporter is Caroline Erskine.
Bono with U2 at 'Self-Aid' (1986)
The Boomtown Rats on stage during 'Self Aid' (1986)
Shane MacGowan at 'Self Aid' (1986)
Rory Gallagher on stage at 'Self Aid' (1986)
Elvis Costello at 'Self-Aid' (1986)
Leslie Dowdall at 'Self Aid' (1986)
Shane O'Neill of Blue in Heaven at 'Self Aid' (1986)
Cactus World News at 'Self-Aid' (1986)
Singer Derek Herbert of Les Enfants on stage during 'Self Aid' (1986)
Photos by RTÉ photographer Eve Holmes.
