Music Generation Carlow Trad Ensemble ‘Reelig’ performs at national Creativity Forum

On Wednesday, 13 December 2017 13 young musicians from Music Generation Carlow travelled to Dublin to perform at a major national forum hosted by Creative Ireland at Dublin Castle, which was attended by delegates including An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar T.D., Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton T.D., Minister for Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs, Josepha Madigan T.D., Minister for Health, Simon Harris T.D., Minister for Enterprise, Employment and Innovation, Heather Humphreys, T.D., and EU Commissioner Tibor Navracsics.

The Carlow group, named ‘Reelig’, is an accomplished collective of young traditional Irish musicians which was formed just three years ago under the direction of Programme Director Paula Phelan and musicians Ciarán Somers and Áine Donohoe. Since that time, this dynamic ensemble has performed exciting, diverse and challenging repertoire locally and nationally including collaborations with Music Generation Cork City at UCC, a collaboration with esteemed flautist Sir James Galway at The Worldwide Ireland Funds’ Conference, a performance for President and Sabina Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin, as well as for former Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister for Culture Heather Humphreys and members of local and national Government at the announcement of Creative Ireland’s Local Authority Culture and Creativity Plans.

Their spectacular set at Wednesday’s Creativity Forum was a highlight of the day, garnering enormous public acclaim from MC Caroline Murphy, Minister for Health Simon Harris, T.D, and many guests and delegates present at the event. Reelig performed their rendition of Kíla’s ‘Skinheads’, which they first premiered in October at the Creative Connexions Festival, Sitges (Barcelona), and which was directed by renowned musician and Kíla member, James Mahon.

The members of Reelig are: Katie Brennan (Concertina); Colm Broderick (Uileann Pipes); Doireann Broderick (Concertina); Meadhbh Broderick (Flute); Alanah Byrne (Fiddle); Oisín Byrne (Bodhrán); Fionn Murphy (Accordion); Jack Gladney (Guitar); Conor McDermott (Banjo); Niamh Nolan (Flute); Shane Nolan (Fiddle); Thomas O’Donoghue (Accordion) and Cathal Sweeney (Banjo).

Also attending and presenting at the event were Cartoon Saloon co-founder and Oscar-nominee Paul Young, President of DCU Brian MacCraith, and Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe, National Director Health and Wellbeing Division at the HSE. In addition to providing a stage for these remarkable young Carlow musicians, and a space to explore the subjects of culture and creativity, the Creativity Forum also marked the launch of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018 in Ireland.

Music Generation Carlow is part of Music Generation – Ireland’s national music education programme, initiated by Music Network, co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Skills and Local Music Education Partnerships. Locally, Music Generation Carlow is supported and co-funded by Kilkenny and Carlow Education & Training Board and Carlow County Council. (musicgenerationcarlow.ie)

For more information about Reelig and other Music Generation Carlow programmes and initiatives contact:

Music Generation Carlow, Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board, Athy Road, Carlow

t: +353 59 913 8532
e: pphelan@kcetb.ie
musicgenerationcarlow.ie