Mayo musicians performing Music at the Garden Gate
TWO acclaimed Mayo musicians have been delivering the joy of music to older people, from the gardens at their homes.
Later this month, Laoise Kelly (harp) and John Hoban (fiddle, mando-cello, song and more) will present a performance of traditional music and song online from the Linenhall Arts Centre.
The performance will be available to view free of charge on Thursday, May 27, and Saturday, May 29, from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Linenhall's webpage (www.thelinenhall.com).
The performance is the final element of a project in which Laoise and John have been bringing the joy of music to the garden gates of a number of older people in the Castlebar area who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience live music.
Over six days in early May they serenaded senior citizens with traditional jigs, reels and polkas, as well as songs and harp airs.
“It’s been a really magical experience,” said Orla Henihan, arts access officer at the Linenhall Arts Centre, “and an honour to work with some of Mayo’s finest musicians to bring music, as well as plenty of chat, to older citizens as we gradually emerge from Covid restrictions.
“We’re hugely thankful to the team at Castlebar Social Services Centre for their support with the project, as well as our project partners Mayo Arts Office who have made the project possible.”
These visits mark the starting point of a Cultural Companions initiative involving Mayo County Council and the Linenhall Arts Centre.
Castlebar man John Hoban is a musician, singer, songwriter, and poet. He has played and taught music all his life and has travelled all over the world with his music, playing alongside Irish music greats including Christy Moore and Sharon Shannon. The ultimate multi-instrumentalist, John plays fiddle, accordion, mandolin, mando-cello, harmonica and more. His songs and music bridge the worlds of improvisation, experimentation and tradition.
Laoise Kelly is one of Ireland's leading traditional harpers. She has performed and recorded with the foremost artists in Irish and international music, from The Chieftains to Kate Bush. She represented Ireland at the World Harp Festival in Paraguay.
She has three critically acclaimed solo albums and is the director of the Achill International Harp Festival. In 2020 Laoise was awarded the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Musician of the Year.
This initiative is strategically funded by Mayo County Council and the Arts Council. The project is delivered in partnership with the Linenhall Arts Centre and supported by Age Friendly Mayo and Castlebar Social Services Centre Meals on Wheels Service.
Cultural Companions is an arts initiative developed by Age & Opportunity. This Keep Well campaign is brought to you with thanks to Healthy Ireland, an initiative of the Government of Ireland with funding from the Healthy Ireland Fund and the Sláintecare fund delivered by Pobal.