Cavan musicians to perform at National Concert Hall

A group of young local musicians will perform at the National Concert Hall in Dublin at the beginning of next month.

Members of the Cross Border Youth Folk Orchestra, an initiative supported by Music Generation Cavan/Monaghan, will perform an innovative suite. It was commissioned by renowned musician, composer, and musical director Michael Rooney, with a script crafted by esteemed writer Tommy McArdle.

'A Deep Ravine – Reflections on a Divided Ireland' tells the story of life on the Border, delivering a profound creative response to the era of partition and offering deeper insights into the significant events of that time.

Audiences are encouraged to reflect on the lives of individuals living 100 years ago on the newly established border as two separate states, North and South, came into existence.

Over 100 young musicians, drawn from Cavan, Monaghan, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Scotland, and Ukraine, embody a rich diversity of musical traditions.

They will be joined in their National Concert Hall performance on Sunday, September 1, by a host of talented local actors from Cavan and Monaghan.

The event will be presented and narrated by RTÉ host and MC, Sean Rocks.

Maggie Maguire, Music Generation Cavan/Monaghan co-ordinator said: “We are very proud of our young musicians who have captured the essence of this project and really bring the Border story to life. 'A Deep Ravine' is not just a performance; it is a cultural and historical journey, crafted to resonate deeply with audiences and to celebrate the rich, diverse heritage of the border regions.”

'A Deep Ravine' at the National Concert Hall, Dublin, a major milestone for Music Generation Cavan/Monaghan, will be performed on Sunday, September 1, at 6pm.

The project was commissioned by Monaghan County Council and Cavan County Council funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.