Fascinating documentary on Louth’s Hidden Musical Gem to broadcast on St Stephen's Day

Louth’s Hidden Musical Gem, a new radio documentary by Little Road Productions Ltd, will broadcast at 12noon on Tuesday December 26th 2023 on LMFM Radio.

Standing tall in the choir loft of St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dundalk since 1900, the pipe organ created by the world-renowned Henry Willis and Sons pipe organ builders in the UK, has had many musicians and composers caress its keys since Henry Lucas Balfour, organist at the Royal Albert Hall in London first ‘opened’ the organ on July 1st 1900, with a recital of classical music. 

In this one-hour radio documentary, the history of the organ is charted through multiple parallel narratives, looking at those who made it and have taken care of it for so many years, along with some of the personal stories of the many organists who have played it over the last 124 years, many of whom are household names in the musical world, such as Michael Van Dessel. 

Featuring an interview on location with the current organist, Brendan McCourt, along with interviews with Brian McIvor, Audiovisual Producer & Broadcaster; Annalisa Monticelli, Programme Director & Répétiteur at Dundalk IT; Brian Walsh, Curator, Louth County Museum; and Anne Ward, former County Librarian & Choir Member; along with archive material, the documentary attempts to uncover the history of Louth’s Hidden Musical Gem for all the world to hear. 

The documentary was funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the Television Licence Fee. For more information follow Little Road Productions Ltd on Twitter at @littleroadprods or on Facebook at @littleroadproductions.