Ceoltóirí Chloich Cheannfhaola who performed at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham at an event as part of Ireland’s EU Presidency with their tutor Theresa Kavanagh, back row, second from right.
ON Monday night, February 18, an eclectic mix of West Donegal’s finest young musical talent took to the stage at an event organised as part of Ireland’s EU Presidency in Dublin.
Ceoltóirí Chloich Cheannfhaola traditional band and jazz duo Michael and Conor Murray performed as guest artists for the Department of Education and Skills’ Conference on the Role of the Teacher Educator.
Nominated by the Donegal VEC Music Education Partnership (DMEP) these worthy musical ambassadors performed to distinguished international delegates at an event at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham.
This performance was the third in a series of exciting musical celebrations that have been organised by the Department of Education and Skills and Music Generation to mark Ireland’s EU Presidency featuring some of Ireland’s finest young musicians from throughout the country over the coming months.
Members of Ceoltóirí Chloich Cheannfhaola performing at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham were Roisin Boyle, Katie Doohan, Eimear Gallagher, Kate O’Grady, Hannah O’Grady, Laura Mc Garvey, Eilis Russell and Clíona Ní Ghallachóir.
Ceoltóirí Chloich Cheannfhaola was established as a performing group from the Cloich Cheannfhaola Comhaltas branch in 2009 and, with their tutor Theresa Kavanagh, have since gone from strength to strength.
Over the last three years the group have worked hard to develop both musically and socially through Irish culture.
In 2011 they were winners of the Ulster Fleadh in the under 15 Céilí Band Competition and have recently participated in a cultural exchange in Inverness.
Twin brothers Micheal and Conor Murray were initially self-taught, Micheal on harmonica and Conor on electric bass, before learning saxophone and double bass respectively through the school system and Donegal VEC’s Music Education Partnership.
They also attend the annual Donegal Summer School of Music. Their musical interests and influences are diverse ranging from classical music through to jazz, popular music and traditional.
They regularly perform at local and national events and festivals both as a duo, trio and as members of the DMEP’s Donegal Youth Orchestra and Errigal Groove Orchestra as well as Ceoltóirí Chloich Cheannfhaola. Conor is also a current member of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland.
DMEPs Young Musical Ambassadors with Minister Quinn, Minister for Education & Skills after performing at one of Ireland’s EU Presidency events.