Meabh Begley (composer, singer and musician) and Bryan O’Leary (TG4 Ceaoltór Óg na bliana 2014) will engage directly with seven schools in Kerry during the months of September and October. Both are Kerry based composers of music. Bryan’s mission will be to teach the students of these schools about the musical heritage of Sliabh Luachra, and this will culminate in a two hour collaborative performance. He will be teaching the students some of their his compositions from the present day, as well as some of the classic music from the Sliabh Luachra repertoire.

Meabh Begley will be engaging specifically with Gaelscoil Aogáin in Castleisland. Méabh’s recently composed song ‘Amhrán na nGael’ (song of the Gaels) will be the focus. This is a powerful song which focuses on all that is beautiful about Ireland and the Irish language. Meabh, a talented daughter of the late Seamus Begley, performs regularly on on RTE radio and television. The song has adopted by many Gaelscoileanna as an informal anthem. She will teach this song to the students of the Gaelscoil Aogáin, Castleisland. Meabh’s performance with the students will be recorded for the Festival Archive and made available to the school community.

These artists will prepare specifically chosen music and songs from County Kerry with the students to be performed together on Friday the 20th of October in St John’s Hall Castleisland.

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.