260 young musicians from 7 Music Generation partnerships to perform at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann

On Thursday 16 August, 260 young traditional musicians from 7 Music Generation partnerships around Ireland travelled to Drogheda to perform live on the Gig Rig stage as part of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2018.

2018 marked the fifth year of ‘Music Generation Live at the Gig Rig,’ which follows previous sessions in Ennis and Sligo. Music Generation Louth hosted this year’s Gig Rig, running from 2pm-5.30pm (please note this earlier time than advertised) in Bolton Square. The line-up included groups from Louth, Sligo, Mayo, Donegal, Carlow, Wicklow and Laois, along with MC and local comedian MC Aidan Shields. These groups were directed by prominent Irish musicians including Zoe Conway, Ryan Molloy and Tommy Fitzharris.

Céimeanna Ceoil, Music Generation Louth’s 43-strong traditional orchestra collective made up of players from 6 Louth schools, simultaneously made their debut performance and opened ‘Music Generation Live at the Gig Rig’ at 2pm, with a very special arrangement by Zoe Conway who joined them on stage.

The Gig Rig provides a place where festival-goers can enjoy some of the very best music-making free of charge on an outdoor stage. It is also an opportunity for the young musicians to enjoy a celebratory experience of performing on a national stage at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, of being part of a larger national and worldwide musical community and of networking and collaborating with one another .

Take a look at one of the many performances, this one from the Donegal Highlanders (Donegal Music Education Partnership) below:

The ‘Music Generation Live at the Gig Rig’ running order 2018 was:

2.00pm: Céimeanna Ceoil - under the artistic direction of Zoe Conway
2.20pm: Carlow’s Reelóg
2.40pm: Carlow’s Reelig
3.00pm: Wicklow Blessington Trad Group
3.20pm: Wicklow Hollywood Trad Band
3.40pm: Wicklow Rithim Orchestra
4.00pm: Donegal Music Education Partnership
4.20pm: Mayo (The Rolling Waves)
4.40pm: Sligo Ceoltóirí Ógra Sligeach
5.00pm: Music Generation Laois Junior Trad Orchestra
5.15pm: Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is the biggest traditional Irish music festival in the world, a week-long cultural celebration of music, song and dance that runs until 19 August 2018. Dozens of concerts, talks and events are programmed, including Scoil Éigse (the educational aspect of the festival), competitions in traditional music, a full schedule of concerts and informal traditional music pub sessions.

‘Music Generation Live at the Gig Rig’ follows the highly-anticipated debut performance of Nos Nua – Louth Youth Folk Orchestra, a joint initiative of Music Generation Louth and The Oriel Centre Dundalk Gaol, which took to the stage at the ‘Bloom of Youth’ concert on Monday 13 August.

Earlier in the summer the Youth Folk Orchestra made waves in Drogheda when they erupted in a 'Fleadh Mob' outside St Peter's Church:

The full Gig Rig schedule can be viewed on the Fleadh website (please note the earlier start time for Music Generation of 2pm on Thursday 16 August).

Music Generation Live at the Gig Rig’ is supported by the Music Generation Creativity and Collaboration Fund.

For further information about this and other projects and events at Music Generation Louth contact:

Gemma Murray, Coordinator, Music Generation Louth
Louth and Meath Education and Training Board, Chapel St, Dundalk, Louth

t: 042 9364635
e: musicgeneration[at]lmetb.ie
www.musicgenerationlouth.ie