Castlewellan gets set to host the Ulster Comhaltas Youth Orchestra

Castlewellan gets set to host the Ulster Comhaltas Youth Orchestra

22 November 2023

THE Newcastle branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann will be welcoming the Ulster Comhaltas Youth Folk Orchestra to Castlewellan next month.

The orchestra will be performing Ómós na n-Ultach in St Malachy’s Church on Saturday, December 2.

This will be the third time this fabulous suite of music has been performed and the first time in County Down.

The piece has been composed by Michael Rooney, a prolific composer who is widely regarded as one of the foremost players of the traditional Irish harp.

Originally from Scotstown, Co Monaghan, and now a long time resident in Sligo, Michael has composed 19 suites of music over the past 20 years. He was named TG4 Composer of the Year in 2017.

In last year he composed The Ulster Suite for Ulster Comhaltas. This suite of music was commissioned by the Ulster Council of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and is performed by the Ulster Youth Folk Orchestra and friends.

The audience will be taken on a musical journey exploring Ulster’s history and culture.  

Newcastle CCÉ chairperson Grainne Scullion said: “This is a must-see performance. Michael Rooney is renowned amongst the Irish traditional music scene as being a master composer and performer.

“We at Newcastle CCÉ are immensely proud to have three of our branch members performing with the orchestra. Ciara Maguire plays fiddle, Niamh Howell is on Concertina and Ruáirí Howell is the uilleann piper in the orchestra.

“St Malachy’s Church is a magnificent setting for the orchestra to perform in and we would like to take this opportunity to thank Canon McKinlay for all his help with this production.”

Tickets for the performance can be purchased at The Lodge on Thursday evening or Saturday morning, or alternatively at www.ticketsource.co.uk/newcastle-cc.