Golden Hour of Irish Music, Culture and Song
3.30 p.m. 17 March 2023 at the Bendigo Library, Hargreaves St Bendigo
The Central Victorian Irish Association and City of Greater Bendigo Library will help to celebrate St Patrick’s Day with a concert showcasing the richness of Irish musical and literary culture. Performances from five solo singers sharing folksongs, art songs and heartfelt ballads will be interspersed with the high energy of Irish dance, haunting instrumental music and readings from Irish literature.
You don’t need to be part of Australia’s large Irish diaspora to celebrate St Patrick’s Day or appreciate the incredible richness of Irish musical and literary culture. Come along to a free concert to be immersed in Irish music, song, dance, and literature at Bendigo City Library on the day.
Five solo singers will share stirring Irish folksongs, heartfelt ballads, and Irish art songs from over a 300-year period. The concert is directed by John Clancy, an Irish (Gaelic) singer who will accompany four other singers – Irish tenor Frederick Kelly, Bryan Milne, David Stephensen, and Kay Ross.
John, Frederick, and Bryan have regularly enhanced the music at special Masses at St Therese's Church Kennington on occasions such as Australia Day and ANZAC Day. Kay is a stalwart member of the Sacred Heart Cathedral Choir.
The high-energy O'Shea-Ryan Irish dancers will be a highlight of this concert. Coached by their remarkable and illustrious teacher, 92-year -old Geraldine Ryan OAM, who started teaching Irish dancing in Bendigo in around 1947 and continues to do so today.
Entry to this concert is free, however a donation box for the Central Victorian Irish Association will be in place.
The concert will be held at the Bendigo Library in Hargreaves Street Bendigo at 3:30pm on St Patrick's Day (17 March). Seating is limited, so audience members are advised to arrive at around 3.15 p.m.
This concert is perhaps not suitable for children under the age of eight, so parents and grandparents are advised not to bring them to the concert.
A Happy St Patrick's Day to all Sandpiper readers!
