Project Ceannt will be one of the largest development schemes in the country and has now launched a period of public consultation to aid in the preparation of a Masterplan and Framework. It will see the creation of a new urban quarter on a site of over 8 acres in Galway city centre. Construction to create a place where people can live, work and play could commence in 3 years and be completed by 2025.
Departure of Galway 2020 CEO
Three months after the project lost its creative director, Galway 2020 chairwoman Aideen McGinley announced yesterday that Hannah Kiely was stepping down as CEO and that Mark O’Donnell has been appointed Chief Operating Officer and Pearce Doherty has been appointed Head of Production. Following controversy over the handling of the post of business engagement director a number of city councillors expressed concern about the €46m project which is already facing funding shortfalls. Last month an EU monitoring report had raised very serious concerns about the project’s progress including delays, cultural leadership and roles and relationships.
Stage Debut for Symphonic Waves Youth Orchestra
Professor James Cavanagh conducted the 58 young members of Symphonic Waves at a concert in Clonbur yesterday. He has conducted many well-known orchestras at Ireland and abroad. The performance included works by Benjamin Britten, Astor Piazzolla, Peter Warlock and Irish composer TC Kelly as well as various short chamber pieces. Currently a string orchestra, Symphonic Waves is expanding with brass and woodwind sections being recruited later this year. The orchestra came about through a collaboration involving Galway Music Education Partnership and the music schools in Athenry, Coole, Headford and Galway city’s GTI and MCNG with support from GRETB, Galway City and County Councils and Ealaín na Gaeltachta.
Music Organisations Move from St Mary’s College to Distillery Road
Galway Music Centre, Galway Music Residency and Music for Galway have now relocated from St Mary’s College to the university’s campus at Distillery Road. This follows the relocation of Maoin Cheoil na Gaillimhe in August 2017 from St Mary’s to the Presentation Primary School on Newcastle Road. The Galway Youth Orchestra will remain at St Mary’s College for the foreseeable future. These changes bring to an end the five-year period of co-location of these five music organisations on one site in Galway and reflects growing pressure on facilities at St Mary’s College. Galway Music Centre’s members remain committed to successfully advocating for greater co-ordination of facilities and services for music education and performance in Galway.
New Scheme for Arts Grant Funding
The Minister for Culture and the Arts Council have announced almost €700,000 in funding for artists and arts organisations in Galway City and County. The new Arts Grant Funding Scheme comes under the Arts Council 10-year strategy ‘Making Great Art Work’ and will support a wide variety of arts including literature, music, theatre and drama, film and the visual arts. The Galway Music Residency was one of a number of recipients of this funding.
Galway 2020 loses its Creative Director
Galway 2020 confirmed yesterday that its Creative Director, Chris Baldwin, has left the organisation ‘by mutual agreement’. The news of Mr Baldwin’s departure came after he had officially been on sick leave for a number of weeks. The Board thanked him for his contribution to date and wished him well in the future. It went on to say that planning for the next phase has begun with the appointment of three new cultural producers in the area of visual arts, small towns big ideas and audience development. Further announcements will be made in the next few weeks. The full programme for Galway 2020 will be published later in the year and encompasses all aspects of culture from visual arts, sport, large scale spectacle, food, digital, music, dance, theatre, circus, fil, architecture and literature. Some concerns have been expressed in relation to clarity of funding, recruitment and governance.
Call for Young String Players to join New Youth Orchestra
Young string musicians from Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Leitrim, Mayo, Clare and Limerick are invited to participate in the Symphonic Waves Ensemble. Membership is open to those between the ages of 13 to 21 who have reached at least Grade 6. Professor James Cavanagh will conduct the ensemble for 2018 and will be supported by the ConTempo Quartet and professional players and teachers. The 2018 programme will include rehearsals and performances and residential programmes in August and October.
Symphonic Waves is the first initiative announced by Music Generation in Galway and its lead partner GRETB. The overall plan includes the development and implementation of a series of performance music education programmes ensuring access to high quality and inspiring musical experiences for children and young people. Music Generation is funded by U2, the Ireland Funds and the Department of Education and Skills and is supported by Galway City and County Councils and local partners.
Making Waves
Last week Galway 2020 CEO Hannah Kiely and her team attended Fáilte Ireland’s two-day global trade event Meitheal and met 65 international tourist buyers to promote Galway as the European Capital of Culture in 2020. Tour operators were very enthusiastic about the fact that the majority of the Galway 2020 programme will be free. Galway 2020 also offers a chance to extend the region’s tourist season across the whole year.
Disappointment as Black Box Plan Deferred
In a press briefing the CEO of the City Council has advised that work will not start on the Dyke Road site until after 2020. Original plans for the development included the provision of a new city library and the demolition and replacement of the sub optimal Black Box venue with an alternative cultural hub performance venue. Mr McGrath said that due to space requirements it is now not considered feasible to include the library on this site and it may also not be appropriate for a cultural and civic space. He added that as Galway 2020 is fast approaching the current Black Box will be required for the year long programme. A scoping exercise and project review has been recommended along with evaluation of other options for these important facilities. The possibility of using this site for residential developments was mentioned.
Honour for Galway Musician
Jane O’Leary, internationally renowned pianist and celebrated composer, has been bestowed with the title of Buan Chara of Music for Galway. Jane was a founder member of Music for Galway in 1981 and played a central role in its development for over 30 years serving as artistic director and a member of the board of directors.