Ireland’s National Music Education Programme, Music Generation, has announced that thirteen young musicians from Music Generation Carlow will perform alongside celebrated Irish dance duo, Velocity, in Sitges, Barcelona, this weekend as part of the Creative Connexions festival of Irish and Catalan culture.
Known as Reelig, the collective of young traditional Irish musicians will form part of Saturday’s headline concert, Call to the Dance, at the Cinema-Teatro el Retiro. The concert will also feature leading musicians, Edwina Guckian, Martin Tourish, James Mahon, Danny Diamond, Aimee Farrell Courtney, Brid McGowan, Vincent Woods and Conor Arkins.
Formed three years ago under the direction of Music Generation Carlow Programme Director, Paula Phelan, and musicians, Ciarán Somers and Áine Donohoe, Reelig comprises:
- Katie Brennan (concertina)
- Colm Broderick (uileann pipes)
- Doireann Broderick (concertina)
- Meadhbh Broderick (flute)
- Alannagh Byrne (fiddle)
- Oisín Byrne (bodhrán)
- Fionn Dowling (accordion)
- Jack Gladney (guitar)
- Conor McDermott (banjo)
- Niamh Nolan (flute)
- Shane Nolan (fiddle)
- Thomas O’Donoghue (accordion)
- Cathal Sweeney (banjo)
Previous local and national performances include collaborations with Music Generation Cork City at University College Cork (UCC), the Carlow Pan Celtic Festival and The Worldwide Ireland Funds‘ Conference. Recently, Reelig performed for President and Sabina Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin and for former Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, Minister for Culture, Heather Humphreys, and members of local and national Government at the announcement of 31 Local Authority Culture and Creativity Plans as part of Creative Ireland in Dublin Castle.
Creative Connexions is a three-day, two-country, multi-venue showcase that seeks to make creative connections between Irish and Catalan cultures. The programme includes performances, exhibitions, readings, lectures and workshops featuring internationally recognised musicians, artists and performers from Ireland and Barcelona. This year’s festival runs from 26-29 October.
Header photo: Members of Reelig © Barbara Flynn
