| Rich in heritage
By Graham Clifford
Irish arts in London are alive and well courtesy of the Irish Heritage
Group. In their 32 years they have featured operatic stars such as Finbar
Wright and more recently pianist Maria McGarry. Now a group of 20 skilled
musicians are set to take London by storm. Graham Clifford
spoke to the chairman of Irish Heritage Niall Gallagher to find out more.
As a nation Ireland has a disproportionate amount of famed writers, poets,
playwrights and musicians. The fabric of the country allows artistic expression
to prosper and live.
Therefore its promotion abroad has always been and will continue to be
a necessary mission. The Irish Heritage Group has been pivotal in bringing
some of the finest young Irish musicians, singers and playwrights to the
fore in London and in doing so kick-started successful careers for many.
The association was set up 32 years ago by Charles and Ethna Kennedy
with the purpose of enhancing the image of Ireland in Britain. Over the
years the group has featured the very best in Irish music and literature
while also featuring Anglo-Irish pieces of work.
It recruits the top young Irish performers thanks to a talent-spotter
of types — artistic director and co-founder Ethna who auditions those chosen
for interview before letting them loose at one of the West End venues.
Over the years some of the stars to display their talents include the
Corkonian with a voice that apparently can be heard in parts of West Kerry,
Finbar Wright. He made his British debut for Irish Heritage and has gone
on to play at venues across the globe.
Others on the list of Irish Heritage performers include Maria McGarry,
sopranos Ailish Tynan and Mayo woman Anne Marie Gibbons as well as the excellent
baritone Owen Gilhooley.
Indeed most of the frontline Irish artists performing worldwide today
received their first London booking from the group.
Now though Irish Heritage is trying something different. A full chamber
orchestra comprising 20 Irish musicians from north and south of the border
have come together under the guidance of musical director and professional
musician Nicola Sweeney.
The young musicians are students at the Guildhall School of Music and
have already performed with the Irish and Ulster Chamber Orchestras. The
group will be known as the London Irish Camerata and owe their foundations
to the foresight of Paul Sharpe and Stephanie McCabe.
Studying and training together, the Camerata will give their first concert
next February as part of London Heritage’s yearly programme of events. The
concert will take place in the St. James concert venue in Piccadilly, one
of the many locations used by the association for their performances.
Chairman Niall Gallagher is confident the orchestra will have a baptism
of fire saying: “They are all excellent musicians in their own right and
we believe they’ll create a great focus for Irish Heritage.”
Niall is eager to stress that the group wants to integrate operatic performances
with the laid-back Irish approach.
“We want to entice young people to come to these concerts and get involved
so people should relax and enjoy the music. We don’t expect the audience
to only clap at the end of a movement for example. The music is for everybody
and can be enjoyed by everybody.”
As well as musical performances Irish heritage also has literary events
scheduled for 2006. In April a presentation entitled The Importance Of Being
Irish will feature work from the pen of Oscar Wilde. This is perhaps the
highlight of the year’s programme and will be held at the Queen Mary Hall
in Jury’s Hotel on Great Russell Street in London.
Since it’s foundation in 1974 Irish Heritage has hosted an array of events
in London and strongly believe in the importance of their work. Niall Gallagher
and the rest of the association believe more young people are being drawn
into the arts than in recent decades as it becomes more popular.
“The arts can easily be viewed as an elitist domain and ignored when
merely a modicum of courage is required to meet the challenge. Our work
sprang from an inspiration of the heart to cherish and preserve the ideals
and standards we hold dear. It’s a labour of love and hopefully through
this year’s programme we will bring more high quality to our loyal audiences.”
The group has always been solidly supported by the Irish Embassy as the
only Irish group to promote and perform classical arts in Britain. With
the birth of the London Irish Camerata and plans for a tribute from past
performers now making it in the big time, Irish cultural health is in safe
hands with Irish Heritage.
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