09.01.2015
Dublin Parish Plans Concert and Music Project to Mark Centenary of Arthur Edward Guinness, Lord Ardilaun
All Saint’s Church, Raheny, plans to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of Arthur Edward Guinness, Lord Ardilaun, with a concert by Irish Harpist, Anne–Marie O’Farrell, the UCD Choral Scholars and Organist and Traditional Irish Musician, Donna Magee. The concert will take place in the church on Sunday January 18 at 7.00 pm and will feature a varied programme from both traditional and temporary composers including some new works based on poetry from the Great War era.
The concert will form the backdrop for the launch by Minister of State Aodhán Ó Ríordán of a new Music Education and Development Project at All Saints’ aimed at enabling young people from north Dublin engage with choral and musical development. Advisors to the project include Dr Desmond Earley, Artistic Director (Music) of the Performing Arts Strand of UCD School of Music and Lt Col Mark Armstrong, Director of the Defence Forces School of Music. The concert will also be attended by the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson.
Arthur Edward Guinness (Lord Ardilaun) died on January 20 1915 at his home at St Anne’s, Raheny. A great–grandson of Arthur Guinness, founder of the brewery, Lord Ardilaun was a businessman, politician and philanthropist and is best known for giving St Stephen’s Green to the people of Dublin.
Lord Ardilaun also funded the building of All Saints’ Church in Raheny which was built on the grounds of his estate at St Anne’s and is regarded as an architectural gem in the Dublin Diocese.
Commenting on the concert and the development of the music project, the rector of All Saints’, the Revd Norman McCausland said:
“The concert marks the significant anniversary of the end of the life of Arthur Edward Guinness but the occasion also looks forward to the beginning of something new. The ‘Ardilaun Music Project’ will provide opportunities for choral development especially with young people while also engaging in a collaborative way with Traditional Irish Music performers and composers. This will be a major addition to the cultural life of north Dublin and we are delighted to make this contribution to the Decade of Centenaries”.
The Ardilaun Music Project will be funded by subscriptions and by income from a regular series of concerts. Both the Concert and the Music Project are quickly gaining interest with a number of community leaders and professional musicians indicating their support.
Admission to the concert will be by ticket only. Tickets cost €12 (€10 concession) and are available by contacting (01) 8313929.