Young Carlow musicians captivate international guests at Bank of America Global Forum

On Tuesday 9 October 2018, 14 extraordinary young Carlow musicians captivated guests at a Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Forum held in The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin, which brought together female entrepreneurs and thought leaders from around the world. Delegates at the Forum included author and TV personality Martha Stewart; former Chief Commissioner for Human Rights in Northern Ireland, Monica McWilliams; designer Louise Kennedy; and Cherie Blair CBE QC.

Performing on the night was ‘Reelig,’ an accomplished collective of young traditional Irish musicians from the Music Generation Carlow programme, which formed just four years ago under the direction of Paula Phelan and musicians Ciarán Somers and Áine Donohoe. This dynamic ensemble performed an exciting, diverse and challenging repertoire. The group has previously performed for President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin, in Dublin Castle, with the esteemed musician Sir James Galway at The Ireland Funds Worldwide Conference in 2016, and overseas at the Creative Connexions Festival in Sitges.

These exceptional young musicians were invited to perform at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Forum as ‘Music Generation Young Ambassadors.’ Bank of America Merrill Lynch is a key supporter of Music Generation together with the programme’s co-funders U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Skills and Local Music Education Partnerships. Locally, Music Generation Carlow is managed by Carlow Music Education Partnership, co-funded by Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board in partnership with Carlow Local Authorities.

Watch a snippet of their performance at the opening of the Global Forum, courtesy of Music Generation Carlow:

Together these funds have supported Music Generation’s expansion into a current total of 20 areas of Ireland, where the programme creates some 400 employment opportunities and 48,500 opportunities every year for children and young people age 0 – 18 to access music tuition.

The members of ‘Reelig’ who performed on the night included: Sonny Cahill (flute/whistle); Meadhbh Broderick (flute/whistle); Niamh Nolan (flute/whistle/fiddle); Ciara Hogan (fiddle); David Ramsbottom (bodhran); Helen Ramsbottom (harp/concertina); Doireann Broderick (concertina); Katie Brennan (concertina/vocals); Fionn Murphy (button accordion); Thomas O’Donoghue (Accordion); Éabha Kelly (banjo); Cathal Sweeney (banjo); Jack Gladney (guitar) and James Horsey (flute).

This was the 18th Forum hosted by Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Vital Voices, an organisation which supports women leaders. Last night’s event provided mentoring to women entrepreneurs from around the world.

For more information about other initiatives at Music Generation Carlow, contact:

Gavin Barr, Music Development Officer
Music Generation Carlow, Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board, Athy Road, Carlow

T: 059 9138583
E: Gavin.Barr@KilkennyCarlowETB.ie
musicgenerationcarlow.ie/