Over €15,000 for Mayo recipients under Musical Capital Scheme

THE Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, has announced that two recipients in Mayo will receive over €15,000 under this year’s Musical Capital Scheme.

A sum of €11,246 has been awarded to Mayo Youth Orchestra which is based in Castlebar while €3,767 has been awarded to Scoil Acla, an Achill based organisation that provides teaching in traditional Irish music, arts and culture.

The Musical Capital Scheme has a particular focus on helping artists and organisations overcome the often significant cost of instrument purchase, maintenance and repair.

Minister Ring said: "Learning to play a musical instrument has many benefits for our young people and I am delighted to that this funding is helping people in Mayo to achieve their creative potential. I commend the Minister Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan today for approving this funding through her Department.

“The Mayo Youth Orchestra is a wonderful outlet for our young people and has performed throughout Ireland and as far afield as Austria, The Netherlands and Portugal. They are always open to newcomers and offer tuition on all instruments.

“The €11,246 being provided to them will prove invaluable in helping to offer opportunities to learn and perform to young people in the county.

“A sum of €3,767 has been awarded to Scoil Acla, an organisation that provides teaching in traditional Irish music, arts and culture throughout the year on Achill Island. The highlight of the year is the Scoil Acla Summer School which takes place in July every year.

“Scoil Acla offers excellent teaching in a range of disciplines for young people and older people and people with a diverse ability” concluded Minister Ring.