Pic by Angela Cunning
The Mind and Music Concert organised by Dunloy Comhaltas took place in St. Joseph’s Parish centre in Dunloy on Sunday 7th October
The cross community folk orchestra and choir began in the summer, bringing together musicians and singers from Dunloy and further afield as part of a wider community mental health awareness initiative. Musicians and singers ranging from 7- 70 years of age staged a memorable, and uplifting artistic experience. Congratulations to musicians, singers, organisers and those who worked hard behind the scenes to make the event happen in a very short timeframe and to the commitment and preparation of every single person, and their families, who volunteered their time and skills to make a difference.
Pic by Angela Cunning
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Dún Lathaí / Dunloy Comhaltas would like to acknowledge the contributions given by Colleen Tunney, Maebh Mc Keon and Gráinne Meyer, musical directors; Fear a Tí / Compere, Daire Buckley; Bobby Carlin, Hugo Mac Oscair and the children who presented an emotive drama and talk about mental health; Loughgiel School of Irish Dance for choreographed performances; Jackie Dougan, SMUDGES Inc., for staging and artistic design, Brian Boyle for providing superb lighting and sound, Dunloy Cuchullains GA&CC who helped set out the hall, Eamon and Kathleen Downey for facilitating the use of the Centre; Sean and Rosemary Cochrane for donation to the event, St. Joseph’s PS Dunloy and Causeway Coast and Glens Council for the staging platforms; Mayor Brenda Chivers and Eamonn Graham, Chair of Ulster Comhaltas, for coming along to support the event.
We would also like to extend a huge thanks to all who provided tea, coffee and refreshments throughout the practices and at the event.
Thanks to North Antrim Community Network, Public Health Agency and Comhaltas Meitheal programme for financial support and advice.
Pic by Angela Cunning
On Sunday night as we came together to enjoy the Finale performance of A Million Dreams, the response of the audience left the organisers, participants and all involved leaving on a high note. We received such positive feedback from Sunday night’s performance that we feel our overall aim, which was to encourage social inclusion, vital to supporting mental wellbeing, has been strengthened. Our aim of a ‘Meitheal’, an ancient Irish tradition of a ‘group coming together for a common purpose and working together and for each other to ensure that all succeed in achieving their goal’ was realised. See Facebook page MindandMusic2018 for video clips and pictures
The Mind and Music 2018 Concert was envisioned as a forerunner to a number of further events in the Parish. The first will be held at 7.00pm on Friday 12th October in Dunloy Parish Centre. It will consist of a special talk for adults and parents on Good Emotional Health by Connor McCafferty from Zest. Local sports, music & drama groups will be in attendance and there will be a chance to talk over a cup of tea or coffee.
Dunloy Comhaltas ( pronounced KOAL-tuss) provides music tuition in Accordion, Banjo, Bodhrán, Harp, Fiddle, Flute, Guitar, Mandolin & Tin Whistle to young people and adults through our Irish traditional music and singing classes and provides opportunities to showcase these skills at events. Classes, including Irish Language Classes, every Wednesday evening, Dunloy Parish Centre, 7.00pm. Further Information available via Facebook page ‘Cce Dún Lathaí’
Mayor of Causeway Coast & Glens Cllr Brenda Chivers with event organisers at Sunday’s oncert. Pic by Angela Cunning.
Check out these fantastic photos by Angela Cunning.