Creative arts and culture at core of Nairobi visit by Dundalk IT Director

^{Pictured above: L-R: Evelyn Maris, Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Cooperation, Embassy of Ireland, Kenya; William Holmes, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann; Noel Stapleton, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann; Éireann O'Sullivan, Deputy Head of Cooperation, Embassy of Ireland, Kenya; Liam Guiney, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann; Minister Christopher O’Sullivan T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity; Ambassador Caitríona Ingoldsby, Embassy of Ireland, Kenya; Caelainn McGrath, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann ; Sarah Greene , Second Secretary and Consul, Embassy of Ireland, Kenya and Daithí Kearney, DkIT}

Dr Daithí Kearney, Director of the Creative Arts Research Centre at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), recently travelled to Nairobi, Kenya as part of an Irish delegation visit for the St. Patrick’s Day programme to promote trade and Ireland’s economy, celebrate our global diaspora and strengthen international partnerships.

The Irish delegation was led by Christopher O’Sullivan T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity. The Irish delegation engaged in an intensive schedule of meetings and events with Ministers in the Kenyan Government, the Kenyan Irish Society, and local enterprises.

Dr Kearney undertook a number of engagements in Nairobi as both a performer and academic at the invitation of the Irish Ambassador to Kenya, Her Excellency Caitríona Ingoldsby. He joined members of the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann performing group from Ború Brú including – Liam Guiney (flute, bodhran), William Holmes (uilleann pipes, fiddle), Caelainn McGrath (dance) and Noel Stapleton (button accordion) for several events and activities.

Read also: Order of Malta Dundalk reveals staggering number of duty hours for 2025

He also chaired a special symposium organised by the Irish Embassy in collaboration with the local music organisation Ketebul Music, which was also part of the programme for the 50th anniversary of EU-Kenya relations.

Hosted at the National Theatre in Nairobi, the symposium entitled Muziki Pamoja [Music Together] sought to develop a discussion around three themes of preserve, engage and share.

The morning began with opening remarks from journalist Bill Odidi of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), Daithí and the Irish Ambassador before Daithí joined a group of Kenyan musicians for an improvised performance and later chaired a conversation that examined various instruments and their role in both Kenyan and Irish cultures.  

The second session involved a series of discussions. The first, chaired by Professor Andrew J. Eisenberg of New York University Abu Dhabi, explored the significance of tradition and the task of preservation, beginning with the example of the Singing Wells Project presented by Tabu Osusa and the activities of Comhaltas, articulated by Liam Guiney and Noel Stapleton.

This was followed by a participative conversation focused on dance led by Dr Kahithe Kiîru from Bomas of Kenya and Technical University of Kenya, and choreographer Ondiego Onyango. A third session was chaired by Dr Tom Odhiambo of the University of Nairobi and focused on the role of media in recording and dissemination.

On St Patrick’s Day, the Irish musicians continued their collaboration with Kenyan musicians as part of a research project with Ketebul Music. This involved recording music composed by the participants with a series of interviews reflecting on the participants’ experience of their own tradition and collaboration in an intercultural context.

The Irish group's visit to Kenya included performances at the St. Patrick's Day Ball, a reception at the Ambassador's residence for the Kenya Young Scientist programme, and events organised by the Irish Society of Kenya. The trip highlighted the strong ties between Ireland and Kenya, with Irish missionaries playing an important role in the region.

The group returned to Ireland with offers to return for future projects, while the whole programme of events underpinned the importance of developing international relationships for both countries.

The trip will lead to a number of outputs including a music video and documentary, further compositions, and a report based on the proceedings of the symposium, which will underpin planning for future partnerships.