Third annual Music @ Mount Leinster festival to draw 100+ young musicians

Carlow, 1 February 2017 – 10 renowned professionals and 108 Young Musicians from eight counties in Ireland will gather in Borris, County Carlow later this month to take part in Music @ Mount Leinster 2017. Now in its third year, this large-scale traditional Irish music festival will encompass three-days of music-making, collaboration, performances and informal seisiúns from Tuesday 21 – Thursday 23 February 2017. The young people will be hosted at Borris Vocational School for the duration of the festival, which is facilitated by Music Generation Carlow, supported by Kilkenny & Carlow Education and Training Board and Carlow County Council.

Music Generation Carlow is part of Music Generation, Ireland’s National Music Education Programme that helps children and young people access vocal and instrumental tuition locally. Initiated by Music Network, Music Generation is co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Skills and Local Music Education Partnerships.

Over the course of the festival the young musicians from Music Generation partner programmes in Donegal, Carlow, Clare, Cork, Laois, Louth, Sligo and Wicklow will be guided by leading musician-mentors including Damien Mullane (Button Accordion); Liam Bradley (Piano); Michael Rooney (Harp); Ernestine Healy (Concertina); Mikie Smyth (Uilleann Pipes); Tola Custy (Fiddle); James Mahon (Uilleann Pipes and Flute); Clara Mannion (Concertina); Niall Murphy (Fiddle) and Aimee Farrell Courtney (Bodhrán). The young people will be challenged to hone and develop their skills in groups and larger ensembles, culminating in a grand finale showcase concert on the final evening, Thursday 23 February 2017..

Look back on the 2016 edition of the festival in this short documentary film from Music Generation Carlow:

This remarkable festival has grown in scope and scale since its first incarnation in 2014. Born largely out of a strong culture of traditional music in Borris, Music Generation Carlow has now firmly established Music @ Mount Leinster as a significant and quality event in the trad music calendar. Workshops and masterclasses cater for intermediate to advanced young musicians, many of whom have returned year-on-year to forge musical partnerships across counties and to be inspired by some of the most respected musicians on the trad scene.

Music @ Mount Leinster is a Music Generation National Partnership Project.

Festival Concerts:

Professional Musician Concert –
A showcase of music-making from some of the leading names on the traditional Irish music scene. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis. Donations accepted at the door.
Weds 22 February, 8pm
The Step House Hotel, Borris

Young Musician Finale Concert –
The young ensembles from eight Music Generation partnership programmes will perform to the public in their own showcase concert. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis. Donations accepted at the door.
Thurs 23 February, 7.30pm
The Step House Hotel, Borris

Music Generation Carlow is a music education service for County Carlow. It is part of Music Generation – Ireland’s National Music Education Programme initiated by Music Network and funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Skills and Local Music Education Partnerships. Locally, Music Generation Carlow is managed by County Carlow Music Education Partnership, an interagency group including Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board and Carlow County Council Arts Office. Carlow Music Education Partnership is guided by the following core values: access, quality, partnerships, diversity, creativity and sustainability.