The orchestral and choral suite ‘Bound for Canada’, which honours the resilience of the many famine migrants who embarked on their perilous journeys from Ireland in the summer of 1847, will receive its Mayo premiere in Ballina at the end of next week. The proceeds from the event will support the building of the new Sunflower Children’s Hospice under the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation.
This mammoth musical production was commissioned several years ago by the Canada Ireland Foundation and will feature The Garda Band and St Muredach’s Cathedral Choir, alongside artists such as local tenor Patrick Lacken and soprano Ellen Fair, and the renowned sean-nós singer Sibéal, whose father Odhrán Ó Casaide is the composer of the work.
Conducted by Inspector Pat Kenny, the Musical Director of The Garda Band, ‘Bound for Canada’ is an 80-minute symphony, a musical journey from hardship to hope with Maitiú Ó Casaide on uilleann pipes.
The composer himself, a member of the Irish music group Na Casaidigh, will play violin for the Ballina performance.
The composition is an expression of gratitude for the many brave and selfless people in Canada who provided compassionate assistance to the thousands of men, women and children who arrived on their shores in desperation during that fateful summer. Its world premiere was staged in Toronto in March 2023, introducing a score that blends classical and trad music.
‘Bound for Canada’ is a beautiful story of the Irish contribution to building and growing the Canada of today. Three of the grandparents of Canada’s current Prime Minister, Mark Carney, were born in Mayo.
The concert will be held in Ballina Arts Centre on Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6. Tickets cost €50, plus booking fee. You can book online at www.ballinaartscentre.com, and also by calling 096-73593 or emailing info@ballinaartscentre.com.
A pre-concert reception will be held from 7pm, with the show starting at 8pm.
