Ireland For Only Two Bucks?

Two dollars is all it takes to enter the raffle presented by the The Claddagh Fund, the charity founded by Dropkick Murphys founder Ken Casey that benefits children, veterans and folks suffering from alcohol and drug addiction. Symbolized by the three attributes found in the Claddagh ring – friendship, love and loyalty – the fund held its inaugural event in December on the ice constructed for the NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park, followed by a reception at Beantown’s House Of Blues, ultimately raising $50,000.

Claddagh has hooked up with netRaffle.org to present the raffle, which includes two tickets to Dropkick Murphys’ April 22 performance at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre for the winner as well as a meet-and-greet with the band, an autographed copy of the group’s Live On Lansdowne, Boston, MA DVD/CD and $2,500 in spending money.

Of course, you have to stay somewhere, and the winner of this prize will stay three nights at the Clarence Hotel. If that name rings a bell, it’s probably because U2’s Bono and The Edge are co-owners.

There’s also one additional prize you don’t see all that often – a second cash prize in the amount of $1,482.25 to help offset the person’s tax liability for being so lucky. The amount will be paid directly to the IRS and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

If you’re saying to yourself, “Self, I’d love to enter the raffle, but I don’t know if I can make the trip” – don’t worry. If that happens the fund will award the cash equivalent to the winner.

Money raised from the auction will go benefit the Belvedere Youth Club of Dublin by funding the organization’s “Weekend Holiday Program” where inner city children are treated to a weekend at the Club’s country cottage where they’ll experience sports, arts and music in a relaxed atmosphere.

You interested? Sure you are. For more info, click here for the Dropkick Murphys’ Web site, here for The Claddagh Fund and here for netRaffle.org.