Funding announced for Louth cross -border traditional music project

Oriel Traditional Orchestra and Cultúrlann Caisleán Ruairí have announced that they have been awarded €96,680 in PEACEPLUS funding for the Narrow Water Music Project.

The ambitious 18-month cross-border, intergenerational music project is bringing together musicians and young people from Counties Down, Louth, Armagh, Monaghan and Meath.

Led by Oriel Traditional Orchestra, in partnership with Cultúrlann Caisleán Ruairí and its children’s choir, Cór na nÓg, the project will use music to celebrate the new Narrow Water Bridge and the deep cultural, historical and musical connections between south Ulster and north Leinster.

Over the course of the project, Cór na nÓg will work alongside Oriel’s intergenerational orchestra to explore the musical and cultural heritage of the Oriel region through shared heritage and creative workshops in south Ulster and north Leinster.

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At the heart of the project will be the creation of a new musical work for traditional orchestra and children’s choir, inspired by the Narrow Water Bridge and the shared song, music and history of the region.

Dr. Philip McGuinness, Chair of Oriel Traditional Orchestra, said: “We are delighted to receive PEACEPLUS support for the Narrow Water Music Project and are particularly pleased to be working with Cultúrlann Caisleán Ruairí and Cór na nÓg.

"Oriel has a wonderfully rich musical tradition which does not stop at the border.

"The opening of the Narrow Water Bridge gives us a very special opportunity to celebrate and reinvigorate the rich musical heritage of this area, and to create new relationships between communities on both sides of

Carlingford Lough.”

Professor Eibhlís Farrell, Vice-Chair of Cultúrlann Caisleán Ruairí, said: “This project has a particular personal resonance for me. Having established Music at Dundalk Institute of Technology in 2002 it is wonderful, almost 25 years later, to have the opportunity to partner once again with former colleagues who are now involved in Oriel Traditional Orchestra.

“The musical heritage of Oriel is extraordinarily rich, and I am particularly excited that this project will bring that repertoire and tradition into the musical lives of children in Rostrevor.

"The new Narrow Water Bridge is creating a physical connection between Louth and Down; through this project we want to create a musical and cultural connection to accompany it – one which we

hope will endure for many years.”

Denis Brady Vice Chair of the Narrow Water Bridge Community Network commented: “Congratulations to the team at Cultúrlann Caisleán Ruairí. A lot of hard work has culminated in getting this Peaceplus funding. “We at the Narrow Water Bridge Community Network are looking forward to this connection between Louth and Down, ticking the box of greater sustainable co- operation going forward”

The project will culminate in two public performances – one in County Louth and one in County Down – at which the newly created work will be performed.

The partnership is also intended to extend beyond the funded project, with Oriel Traditional Orchestra and Cór na nÓg committing to future cross-border performances, repertoire sharing and coll aborative cultural activity.

Further details of the public performances celebrating this exciting new musical link between Down and Louth will be announced soon.