Local schools and musicians on song for RDS Peace Proms showcase

The renowned Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland kicked off a sell-out 17-concert series in Limerick last weekend, while 21 schools across Meath are busy preparing to join the orchestra at the RDS on 4th and 5th February for the Peace Proms.

The Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland, founded in 1995, will perform in Limerick again this coming weekend before moving to Dublin's RDS. Concerts will also take place in Belfast and Waterford before the orchestra flies to New York for a landmark concert at the world’s most iconic music mecca, Carnegie Hall, on St Patrick’s Day, March 17th.

The concert series celebrates their work and achievements in promoting peace, unity and tolerance on the island of Ireland since their foundation in 1995. Significantly, the concerts will also mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

The CBOI is now composed of over 130 exceptionally talented young musicians from all over Ireland and Northern Ireland, including 17 from Meath.

The musicians from Meath in the orchestra are: Hazel Lattimore (Cello), Anna Maria Mills (flute), Laura Ann Rothwell (flute), Grace Anna Cunningham (harp), Orla Marie Cunningham (harp), Aodhamair Reilly (harp), Lara Villing (harp), Conor Meehan (trombone), Liam McDonnell (trombone), Bence Zele (trumpet), Christopher Zele (trumpet), Aisling Meehan (violin), Laura-Kate Gaughan (violin), Aoife McLoone (violin), Asha Szlachta (violin), Erica Moran (violin), Alex Slattery (violin).

Members travel to Coláiste Chu Chulainn, Dundalk for weekly rehearsals. A further 200 children and teens receive free music tuition through the CBOI’s extraordinary music education programmes. CBOI recently won a ‘National Rural Impact Award’ for their work.

A staggering 35,000 primary school children from almost 700 schools in Ireland and Northern Ireland form their Children’s Peace Choirs and perform with the orchestra at concerts held across the island in January through March.

Some 21 local schools are busy preparing for performances in the RDS on 4th and 5th February in what promises to be an electric atmosphere.

The first concert takes place on Saturday, 4th February at 2pm featuring Bohermeen NS, Culmullin NS, Drumconrath NS, Rathregan NS, Scoil Colmcille, Kells, Kiltale NS.

The Saturday evening concert will feature choirs from Clonmellon NS, Skyrne NS, Stamullen NS, Nobber NS, Scoil Mhuire, Ashbourne, Ughtyneill NS.

The Sunday concert at 1pm on 5th February will include choirs from Coole NS, Dunboyne Senior NS, Gaeilscoil Eanna, Headfort School, Kentstown NS, Carlanstown NS, Mulhussey NS.

The Sunday evening concert will feature the choirs from Cannistown and Dunsany national schools.