Mayo Young Musical Ambassadors to perform at an Associated EU Presidency Event

On Wednesday 15th March young musicians from County Mayo will perform for international delegates at a biannual meeting of the European Agency for Development in Special Needs Education. The meeting is taking place in Dublin as an associated event of Ireland's Presidency of the European Union and is supported by the Department of Education and Skills. In the spotlight at this event, which takes place at Dobbins Restaurant in Dublin, will be traditional group, Fonneamh. These young musical ambassadors have been nominated by Mayo Music Education Partnership to represent their county at this presitgious national event.

Fonneamh translates as “Musical Energy” and as their name suggests this five piece traditional music ensemble are a very talented group of young musicians. The group features Seamus Tiernan (Accordion/Guitar & Sean Nós Singing), Caoimhne Kilkenny (Violin/Whistle), Marianna Tiernan (Concertina), Ellen Murphy (Harp/Irish Dancing) and Kathryn Tiernan (Flute, Sean Nós Singing & Dancing). Individually they have many All-Ireland titles to their credit, and collectively as Fonneamh, under the leadership of their musical director John Kilkenny, they represented the province of Connaught at the All-Ireland Scór competition in Derry during March of this year.

“Music Generation is delighted to have the opportunity to work with the Department of Education and Skills on this exciting performance programme to mark Ireland’s Presidency of the EU”, said Rosaleen Molloy, National Director of Music Generation. “The collaboration is providing a terrific opportunity to platform some of the country’s finest young musical ambassadors to an international audience”.

This performance is the eighth in a series of exciting musical celebrations with several more scheduled before the end of the EU Presidency in June.

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 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.