Mayo’s Young Ambassadors perform at Department of Education and Skills EU Presidency Opening Event

MAYO’S YOUNG MUSICAL AMBASSADORS TO PERFORM AT DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND SKILLS EU PRESIDENCY OPENING EVENT

On Thursday December 13^th two of Co. Mayo’s finest music ensembles - The Carabells & Bofield Céilí Band - will take centre stage at Dublin Castle to perform as guest artists for the Department of Education and Skills’ inaugural event for the EU Presidency. Nominated by Music Generation Mayo (a new music education service for children and young people in Co. Mayo, co-funded by U2 and The Ireland Funds in partnership with Co. Mayo VEC, Mayo County Council, Co. Mayo Community Forum, Mayo County Development Board and Mayo Education Centre) these musical ambassadors will perform to a distinguished international audience at the State Apartments, Dublin Castle.

The Carabells, a unique eight-member bell ensemble aged from 15 to 18 years, was formed in 2004 by Mayo native Kathy Fahey. Performing a diverse repertoire of pop, rock classical and of course Christmas favourites, The Carabells have given numerous performances locally, nationally and internationally and have also been featured on TG4, RTÉ Nationwide and the Late Late Toy Show. With over one hundred years of making music, the Bofield Céilí Bandis the oldest céilí band in Co. Mayo. The band provides a range of instrumental tuition to children and young people up to 18 years and has represented Co. Mayo on the local, national and international stage for decades.

“We are very pleased to nominate these worthy musical ambassadors for Co. Mayo to represent our county at this prestigious event”, said Cllr. Jarlath Munnelly, Chairperson, Mayo Music Education Partnership. “It’s a brilliant opportunity for Mayo’s young musicians to represent our county on the national and international stage.”

“The Department of Education and Skills is delighted to have the opportunity to work with Music Generation and a host of local partners in planning an exciting performance programme that will feature some of Ireland’s finest young musical ambassadors to represent their county and their country over the coming months during Ireland’s EU Presidency”, commented Ruairi Quinn, Minister for Education and Skills.

This performance marks the first in a series of exciting musical celebrations that have been organised by the Department of Education and Skills and Music Generation for Ireland’s EU Presidency and will feature some of Ireland’s finest young musicians throughout the country.

For further information please contact Music Generation, c/o Music Network, The Coach House, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2. 01 6719945 / 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 operating in Cork City, Laois, Louth, Mayo, Sligo and Wicklow. Music Generation works closely with the Department of Education and Skills who have committed to continuing to develop and sustain the Music Education Partnerships with Exchequer funding in future years when the donations cease. Visit www.musicgeneration.ie for further information.

Music Generation Mayo is part of Music Generation and provides a local music education service for children and young people in Co. Mayo. It is managed by Mayo Music Education Partnership and co-funded by Mayo County Council, Mayo County Development Board, Mayo County Community Forum, Mayo Education Centre and Co. Mayo VEC, its Lead Partner. For further information visit www.musicgenerationmayo.ie

With over one hundred years of making music, the Bofield Céilí Band is the oldest céilíi band in Mayo. Noted all-Ireland champions, the group has four céilí bands for young people up to 18 years for which a range of tuition is provided through its local Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann branch. No stranger to the national and international stage, this award winning band performs regularly at various competitions including Scór Readóirí, Fleadhanna Cheoil, Slógadh and Geal Linn and world-wide tours which have brought them as far afield as Boston and New York. The band has also featured in numerous television and radio broadcasts and recordings including, From Bofield to Battery - Ó Fhás Go hAois. Under the direction of Mark O’Donnell, the musicians performing are Eileen Barry (Fiddle), Niamh O’Donnell (Fiddle), Alan Judge (Flute), Padraig O’Donnell (Harp), Niamh Mulhern (Uillean pipes) and Darragh O’Boyle (Accordion).

Carabells, a unique eight-member bell ensemble aged from 15 to 18 years, was formed in 2004 by Mayo native Kathy Fahey. Performing a diverse repertoire of pop, rock, classical and of course Christmas favourites, Carabells have given numerous performances locally, nationally and internationally and have also been featured on TG4 and RTÉ. Carrabells are the only Irish members of the Handbell Ringers of Great Britain, an organisation which holds National Rallies for all bell- ringers in both Ireland and the UK. In 2010 Carrabells represented the North West Region of Great Britain in the national symposium concert, which is attended by thousands of bellringers. The members of Carabells are John Gibbons, Cachal Lavelle, Kenneth Garvey, Kate Fahey, Síofra Tuffy, Siobhán Tuffy, Caoimhe Kilkenny and Ailbhe Randle.