Ukulele Céilí project goes from strength to strength
Music Generation's Ukulele Céilí project is bringing all ages together in a fun music initiative that is going from strength to strength.
Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath (MGOW) launched its first Intergenerational Ukulele Group in 2018 with family members from Music Generation Offaly/ Westmeath’s partner schools St Joseph’s and Scoil Eoin Phoil National Schools.
Despite expansion plans being interrupted by the introduction of Covid-19 restrictions, MGOW managed to keep the project going even going as far as helping members to brush up on computer skills so they could join and take part in online meet-ups and access accompanying digital resources.
Fast forward to autumn 2021, and at last, MGOW has met its long-awaited aim of expanding the intergenerational ukulele project across the counties of Offaly and Westmeath. Members of Tullamore, Rochfortbridge and Kilbeggan Men’s Sheds, Kilbeggan, Rochfortbridge and Tyrrellspass Active Retirement Groups, a brand new community group based in Columb Barracks, Mullingar, along with parents and grandparents from St Peters and St Pauls National Schools in Athlone, have joined the online and Tullamore groups.
They come together with some of MGOW’s partner schools including St Mary’s Primary and Taghmon National Schools, Mullingar, Scoil Eoin Naofa, Ballymore, Dromakeenan, Shinrone and Rashina National Schools in Offaly, who now receive weekly tuition from a MGOW musician educator.
In a regional development, Music Generations Offaly/Westmeath and Laois made a successful joint application to Creative Ireland to source the necessary funds to progress each county's multi-generational projects into this new phase.
"Whether it’s meeting virtually or face to face, Ukulele Céilí aims to create a welcoming space in the week for people young and old, to gather and learn a musical instrument; share songs, laughter and the joy of making music with others," said Margaret Broome, Development Officer of Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath.
"It’s been fantastic to be able to connect with even more people through the involvement of our schools, families and the wider community. We are really looking forward to the day when our groups can come together for a mega play along!"
Groups and individuals based in Offaly and Westmeath interested in getting involved in 2022 are invited to email their details to musicgen@offalycoco.ie.
Ukulele Céilí is funded by Creative Ireland, Music Generation Offaly/ Westmeath, Healthy Ireland and Offaly and Westmeath Active Aging.