Pearl O’Connor, Eabha O´ Ceidigh Hayes, Catherine McGarry, Elena O Ceidigh Hayes and Laura McGarry in mid-session.
Teo Keenan of Bray Comhaltas.
Siún Ní Dhálaigh, Seán Bailey and Tola Moylan from Bray Comhaltas.
Orla Fitzsimon, Thomas Bampton, Patrick, Leon and Russell O’Connor perform for the Sitges crowds.
Young members of the Bray Comhaltas branch played a starring role at the internationally renowned ‘Creative Connexions’ music festival in Sitges, Barcelona, Spain, which took place in October.
The Creative Connexions Ireland: Sitges ‘23 festival saw the young Bray musicians join more than 60 others from Ireland travel for the four-day festival to celebrates the very best of Irish arts and performance.
The theme of this year’s festival was Celebrating 10 years in Sitges and it was officially opened by the Bray group, who duly delivered a flawless and powerful performance, kickstarting the festival that featured acts of the calibre of Mary Coughlan presenting The Billie Holiday Story; singer, piano player, composer and performer Jack O’Rourke; and on their third Creative Connexions appearance in Sitges, the dynamic folk orchestra No Crows.
The 25 players aged from 12 years and upwards came from the Bray, Delgany and Greystones areas and made an impressive impact on the Catalonian town over the four-day event, playing in public spaces and entertaining locals and tourists alike.
Chairperson of the group, Claire Brennan, commented that the players, under the music directorship of harpist Rachel Duffy, represented the branch with pride and were fantastic ambassadors both on stage and off.
Behind the scenes, the organising committee put together an unforgettable experience for the youngsters and their families.
The group is currently welcoming new members from the north Wicklow area and music and singing classes are held every Thursday night in Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath. You can contact the organising committee through braycce.ie
