Clongowes Traditional Irish Music Group Receive Award from Trócaire.
The Clongowes Wood College Traditional Irish music group has received a Special Recognition award from Trócaire in appreciation for their fundraising activities. The group has raised almost €1,500 as part of the ‘Trad for Trócaire’ campaign. Traditional Irish music brings people together in a very positive way and the Clongowes group are firmly established participants in this wonderful event.
Started in 2008 by Clongowes music teacher, Catherine Heslin, the Clongowes ‘Trad Group’ is a collaboration of students from all year groups as well as staff members. Trad for Trócaire is a national fundraising campaign promoting Irish music as a way of raising money for Trócaire’s overseas development work. As active participants in the campaign for some years, the Clongowes Trad Group was invited to launch the Trad for Trócaire campaign in both 2014 and 2015.
The Clongowes Trad Group is is made up of musicians playing a variety of musical instruments including the fiddle, flute, tin whistle, guitar, banjo, mandolin, cajón and bodhrán. The group meets once a week to rehearse and they are regular performers at school events as well as outside of the college.
Katie Bolger Community Fundraising Assistant at Trócaire presented the award to Catherine Heslin on behalf of the group, in a charming ceremony that included several sets of jigs and reels from the musicians followed by refreshments for all. Afterwards Katie said: ‘Every year, Clongowes Wood goes above and beyond to support the Trad for Trócaire campaign and it was only right to support this fantastic group led by such an inspiring teacher. Trócaire is more than grateful for the support of the school over the years.’
Chris Lumb, Headmaster at Clongowes Wood College said: ‘It’s a great honour for the school to receive an award from Trócaire. We are all very proud of the Trad Group at Clongowes and how they have worked hard to raise money for those less fortunate.’
The Clongowes Trad Group’s next outing will be to Connolly’s of Ballagh after the Easter break. Watch this space for the date and come along and enjoy the music.
Pictured above are (standing) Mr Stephen O’Hara, Jack Savage, Robbie Savage, Ms Catherine Heslin, Mr Noel Mason (behind), Mr Chris Lumb, (Headmaster) Ms Katie Bolger (Trócaire), Hugh Farrell, John Maher, Mr Shane Heslin with (seated) Rory MacGabhann, Sean Brogan, Fred Sargaison, Sean O’Grady and Roy Jones.
