Anyone fretting about the future of Traditional Irish Music can soothe their ulcers by gazing on the photograph accompanying this article.
One small school – so much talent and enthusiasm. And these are the very bastions of culture and heritage where pride of place and locality are handed on from one generation to the the next.
While Loughfouder maintains a healthy roll-book, it is this very kind of community engrained establishments which are now being looked at by people in the bowels of a department in Dublin with penny pinching minds.
In the hand-wringing over the decline of rural Ireland – which is sweeping the country at present, the penny pinchers would do well to remember that their attacks on rural schools are undermining and shredding the fabric of communities around these vital community based institutions.
In areas where there are no community centres or facilities of any kind, the local school is the focal point and host venue for events and meetings on issues pressing on the surrounding areas.
Have a read of what this great little school is doing for its pupils and, in turn, what the parents, pupils and teachers are doing for the proud reputation of their school.
And that’s only one small example of one small school in one very small area.
Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre Awards
There was great excitement in Loughfouder National School this week when it was announced that their school band has been shortlisted for the Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre Awards.
They’ve been invited to attend an ‘Oscars’ style ceremony on Wednesday, March 4th in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin. This will be hosted by a surprise guest MC.
“The school band has been nominated in Best Musical Number category for their performance of a ‘Traditional Music Medley’ in their concert before Christmas. The winners of this category will be announced on the day.
The children and teachers are over the moon with the news. They are delighted that their hard work and dedication has been rewarded. Great credit must go to teacher and music co-ordinator in the school, Elizabeth Lane and to visiting music teacher, Philip Shine,’ said a spokesperson for the school.
“The children have been learning music for only the last eighteen months. They play a wide variety of instruments including tin whistles, accordions, fiddles, banjo and concertina.
To add to the fun and excitement at the awards ceremony a select number of entries will be given the opportunity to perform on the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre stage……the largest stage in Ireland!
And guess what? Loughfouder NS is one of the select few chosen to perform on the day and thus making it a memorable occasion,” said the spokesperson.
In preparation for this performance the children are invited to travel to Dublin for rehearsals on the big stage on the coming Thursday, February 26th.
All the children are very excited and can’t wait to perform on the biggest stage in Ireland. It promises to be a great few weeks and a wonder-filled experience for them. We wish them every success and look forward to their news afterwards.
