Ireland’s Young Musical Ambassadors Commended for their EU Presidency Events Performances

On Thursday June 13th, young musical ambassadors from Co. Mayo, Gealóga, took centre stage at Castletown House, Celbridge, for the final performance in a series of Department of Education and Skills events, as Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU draws to a close.

Over the past six months, Music Generation (the U2 and Ireland Funds’ supported National Music Education Programme, initiated by Music Network) and the Department of Education and Skills have mounted an ambitious performance programme, featuring over fifty young musical ambassadors at eleven international events. The outstanding young ambassadors, each nominated by Local Music Education Partnerships in Laois, Louth, Mayo, Sligo, Cork City, Offaly and Donegal, proudly represented their county and country on the international stage to over twelve hundred European delegates.

Ruairí Quinn, T.D., Minister for Education and Skills commented, “The Department of Education and Skills is delighted to have had the opportunity to work in partnership with Music Generation on this hugely successful initiative for the Irish Presidency. The impressive performances by each and every one of the young musical ambassadors played a very important role in enhancing our events and in promoting the exceptional ability of young Irish musicians to an international audience.”

Chairman of Music Generation Tony Ó Dálaigh said, “The superb performances by all of the Young Ambassadors are to be commended. The performance programme has been a terrific opportunity for Music Generation, the Department of Education and Skills and Local Music Education Partnerships to work together in showcasing such brilliant young musicians. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved for their commitment in making this ambitious performance programme such a success.”

For further information please contact Music Generation, c/o Music Network, NCH Building, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2. 01 4758454 / info@musicgeneration.ie / www.musicgeneration.ie

Notes to editors: Music Generation is Ireland’s National Music Education Programme, initiated by Music Network and funded by U2 and The Ireland Funds, together with a range of local partners. Music Generation helps children and young people to access music education in their local area. Music Generation is currently established in Carlow, Cork City, Laois, Limerick City, Louth, Mayo, Offaly/Westmeath, Sligo and Wicklow and works with Music Education Partnerships in each of these areas. Music Generation also works closely with the Department of Education and Skills who have committed to co-fund the programme with local Music Education Partnerships from July 2014. Visit www.musicgeneration.ie for further information.
 
EU Presidency Performance Programme

• 13th December, Dublin Castle, The Carabells & Bofield Céilí Band, Co. Mayo
• 30th January, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Elsa Kelly, harp Teaspach traditional ensemble, Co. Sligo
• 18th February, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Conor and Michael Murray, jazz duo and Ceoltóirí Chloich Cheannfhaola traditional ensemble, Donegal
• 12th March, Dublin Castle, Alannah Thornburgh, harp, Mayo and The Bonny Men, traditional ensemble, Dublin
• 14th March, Trinity College, Niamh McGloin, harp, Sligo; Ceoltóirí Óga Dhún Dhealgan, traditional ensemble, Louth
• 19th March, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Michael O’Neill, harp Conal Duffy uilleann pipes and Ciaran Duffy fiddle, Louth
• 22nd April, Castletown House, Jos Kelly, button accordion and piano, and Niamh Farrell flute and vocals, Sligo
• 15th May, Dobbins Restaurant, Fonneamh, traditional ensemble, Mayo
• 21st May, Botanic Gardens, Éadaoin Ní Mhaicín, harp, Mayo Sarah Walsh, Donegal, violin, David Keating, guitar, Cork
• 28th May, Trinity College, Speirling, traditional ensemble, Laois
• 13th June, Castletown House, Gealóga, Music Generation Mayo’s Traditional Music Ensemble