Friends of Philo was established in November 2007 after seeing a Thin Lizzy tribute band play in Newcastlewest Co. Limerick west of Ireland. This tribute was organized by Jimmy 'CHOPS' who had TIZZ LIZZY from Belfast headlining. Phil Lynott lookalike Matt Wilson was throwing shapes like Philo, would have had.

It was the closest, I was ever going to get to seeing and hearing Philo play through this band. (I was 15 years of age, when Philip Lynott passed away.) I had to do something.......

So, on Saturday April 12th 2008, Friends of Philo held their first tribute to Philip Lynott called "Tribute to the Black Rose", at The Arklow Bay Hotel. Preforming were Martin Gallagher on Flute from Dublin, Arklow rock bands Boy Dyson, Arnkill ,Avalanche (who preformed a song they had written especially for that evening called 'Mystical Rose').

A special treat by Larry Cullen from St. Colmcilles Pipeband Arklow, played 'Whiskey in the Jaro' on Bagpipes.

Philomena Lynott was our special guest that evening and praised us for a wonderful job. She is also a great ambassador for the causes we had chosen to support.

'CONSOLE' Suicide Awareness, Arklow Drugs Awareness and The Roisin Dubh Trust.

TIZZ LIZZY headlined and played for 2 and quarter hours of none stop Thin Lizzy classics to the 700 roaring fans who came to support us.

In 2009 we held Irelands 1st ever charity Art & Photographic Exhibitions on Philip Lynott of Thin Lizzy. We had 14 artists from Ireland, UK and Europe with over €100,000 worth of art, photographs and memorabilia at the Riverside Gallery Bridgewater Centre Arklow.

Held from Monday 27th of April to Friday 8th of May. Officially opened by Philomena Lynott and Nicky Kelly Lord Mayor of Arklow on Saturday May 2nd to over 150 invited guests.

On Sunday May 3rd we held our second tribute to Philip, "Shades of a Blue Orphanage".
Shades of Blue for the exhibition and Orphanage for our International charity The Sri Lankan Orphanage Appeal.

We are proud sponsors of Arklow Drugs Awareness and Roisin Dubh Trust second year running.
Acts included Keith Grogan Dublin who also played at Exhibition opening,The Brian Meakin Experience Kilcoole Co. Wicklow, Arklow rock bands HUSH & back by popular demand Avalanche.

Six members of Arklow Pipe Band played bagpipes and blew the audience away, Philomena Lynott our special guest two years running did her magic and thanked all the fans and FOP committee for their great work.

RENEGADE from Navan Co. Meath good friends of FOP rocked the night away until the early hours to full capacity audience.

Since 2007 Friends of Philo have raised over €10,000 for charity and we would like to thank all our family and friends for supporting us and making dreams reality.
We would like to thank all the supporters who travel from over seas to join us for our special occasion and remember the music of one of Irelands lost sons.

Friends of Philo also unveiled two large commerative posters from 1994 and 1995 Vibe for Philo at Sally O'Briens Arklow on August 20th to mark Philip Lynotts 6Oth Birthday.

Friends of Philo were also involved in getting the PHILO 6Oth Exhibition to Dublin at the Green Gallery St. Stephens Green Centre Dublin to mark Philips 6Oth Birthday Celebrations music by GLYDER and THE ROCKERS c/o Declan Kennedy who preformed an acoustic set later on.

Roddie Cleere with Keith Grogan held a music session in Bruxelles also that weekend for Philips Birthday.

As we move forward to 2010, we have a lined up some great acts for our third tribute "The Boys are back in Town" with music by Rory Gallagher, Horslips and Thin Lizzy will sound out across the airwaves on Sunday May 2nd again at the Arklow Bay Hotel.

Charities for 2010 include Arklow Drugs Awareness, Roisin Dubh Trust and a very worthy cause Wicklow Hospice Foundation who recently have been given a site to build this place for our sick loved ones.

Acts include 'COLLY' acoustic guitarist Gorey, Co. Wexford, 'A Taste of Rory'Rory Gallagher Tribute from Dublin, 'QUARATINE HILL' Rock band from Wicklow Town, 'HORSYLPSE' Horslips Tribute Band from Omagh, Co. Tyrone and 'LIZZY' Thin Lizzy Tribute from Dublin.

Special guest as always Philomena Lynott and many more treats in store.
Also BAD REPUTATION Art and memorabilia Exhibition of Rock Icons and Philip Lynott / Thin Lizzy at The Visual Arts Centre in Arklow Town Centre Friday April 30th - Friday May 7th.

Friends of Philo,

Colm aka LizzyFan!

Friends of Philo are:

Colm Weadick Event Organiser
Mary Weadick Treasurer and Front of House
Steffen Kuhne Germany Visual Display and Graphics
Bernard Fox Secretary and Stage Management
Martin Devitt Merchandising
Cathil Gaffney Stage Hand
Philip Lynott Guardian Angel

Des Mahon Wexford Sound Engineer
Paul Campbell Sound Recording

Indy Tech for website C/o Micheal Lacey
Poster and Tshirt artwork C/o Lindsay Wright UK 2009 PHILO 60th Exhibtion in Dublin
Philomena Lynott and Roisin Dubh Trust for their support
Tribute organizers from far and wide
Ray Wright Photographer
Roddie Cleere Waterford Local Radio FM
Eddie Guiry Newcastlewest Local Radio
Declan Meehan Show Eastcoast FM
Mark Baker Poster artwork and design 2009
Barbara Lindberg Independent Photograher
Lanka Hauche Videography 2008
Ciare Davis Videography and editing 2009
Mossy Hare Productions 2009
Wicklow People Papers
Wicklow Times
Hotpress Irish Rock Magazine
Irish Independent

Recent Sponsors:

Declan Kelly Arklow
Tim & Marie Weadick Arklow
Arklow Town Council
Sally O'Briens Discobar/Hotel and Thin Lizzy HQ Arklow
Arklow Bay Hotel
Bridgewater Centre Arklow
Gails Flower Shop Arklow
Schering Plough ( Merck ) Rathdrum Co. Wicklow
Carbery Cheese Cork
Wine on behalf of Alan Mc Hugh Co. Cavan
Councillor Pat Fitzgerald Arklow
Councillor Nicky Kelly Arklow
Councillor Peter Dempsey Arklow
David Howlett UK
Nudge Townsend UK
Blueprint Arklow
CK Signs Arklow
Smallprint Leeds UK
DJTees - Akak UK
Publicans and businesses of Arklow