BIG MUSIC WEEK: ARMY BAND

11/10/2013 by borderroamer

Army No.1 Band in Newbridge Photo: © Michael Fisher

One of the highlights at the start of the recent RTÉ Big Music Week to encourage live music was the parade in Newbridge. It made its way from the train station to the Main Street and then over the bridge across the River Liffey to Patrician Secondary School for an hour-long concert in the school hall. The parade was led in style by the Army No.1 Band from Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin. Tomorrow night (Saturday 12th October) they will be performing at the National Concert Hall in Dublin in the annual defence forces benefit concert and the tickets are sold out so there will be a full house. Celine Byrne from Caragh in County Kildare who was also in Newbridge for the RTÉ Music week is the guest soprano.

Army No.1 Band in Newbridge Photo: © Michael Fisher

Celine Byrne with Luka Bloom and his brother Christy Moore in Newbridge: up the Lilywhites! Photo: © Michael Fisher

BIG MUSIC WEEK: CHRISTY MOORE

10/10/2013 by borderroamer

Christy Moore at Patrician Secondary School Photo: © Michael Fisher

Christy Moore returned to his native county of Kildare to take part in the RTÉ Big Music week at Patrician Secondary school in Newbridge, where he was a pupil many years ago. When I looked around the packed school hall, I suddenly noticed him behind me sitting in the audience and moving with the music as Luka Bloom sang. Only afterwards did I realise that Luka Bloom is the stage name for Kevin Barry Moore, Christy’s younger brother from Prosperous.

Luka Bloom at Patrician Secondary School Photo: © Michael Fisher

BIG MUSIC WEEK: NEWBRIDGE

08/10/2013 by borderroamer

‘Birds of Paradise’ with town Mayor Mick Deely greet RTÉ’s Miriam O’Callaghan at Newbridge Photo: © Michael Fisher

What a fantastic reception in Newbridge for RTÉ’s Big Music Week. Alighting from the train, the musicians, presenters and guests were greeted by the colourful ‘Birds of Paradise’. Town Mayor Councillor Mick Deely was on the platform, waiting to whisk Miriam O’Callaghan away in a horse-drawn carriage.

Hundreds of schoolchildren and supporters lined the station car park and poured out onto the streets to cheer the musicians. One banner read ‘Thank you for the music’. The Kill Singers from County Kildare serenaded the arrivals with “Chattanooga Choo Choo”, which had also been performed on board in style by the Bugle Babes.

Numerous local bands including the Scoil na Naomh Uilig band played as the musicians and singers lined up for a parade into town headed by the Army No.1 Band from Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin. On Saturday they will be appearing at the National Concert Hall in Dublin at the Defence Forces Benefit Concert, which is sold out. Soprano Celine Byrne who was also in Newbridge will be making a guest appearance. I notice she is also coming to the Waterfront Hall in Belfast on October 17th to sing alongside José Carreras in the opening night of the Belfast Festival at Queen’s.

“What a way to arrive into my hometown of Newbridge,” singer Luka Bloom told the Leinster Leader. He was joined on the platform by fellow musician and friend Philip King. “What a thrill. I was at Connolly Station at 8am this morning [Monday 1st October] and what a way to spend a Monday. There was a lot of singing on the train”.

At the Patrician Secondary School, Luka Bloom’s brother Christy Moore was waiting at his alma mater. Luka sang a song he had written for his good friends the Brigidine Sisters in Kildare Town called ‘Don’t be afraid of the light within you’.

BIG MUSIC WEEK: TRAIN

07/10/2013 by borderroamer

RTÉ Music Train at Connolly Station Photo: © Michael Fisher

RTÉ’s Big Music Week was run in association with Iarnród Éireann, which provided a three carriage ICR train for the musicians and their guests. The 22000 Class “InterCity Railcar” is a diesel multiple unit usually used on commuter routes such as Kildare, Portlaoise and Longford to Dublin and on Irish Rail’s intercity routes except Dublin to Belfast (served by the Enterprise) and peak-time journeys from Dublin to Cork. There are 48 of them and they can seat 190 passengers. They are capable of speeds up to 160 km/h (100 mph).

RTÉ Music Train at Connolly Station Photo: © Michael Fisher

The sets were supplied by Mitsui of Japan in an order totalling approximately €400 million. The fleet was built by a partnership between Hyundai Rotem of South Korea and Tokyu Car Corporation of Japan, who supplied the bogies. The first sets were delivered in March 2007. Two of the 3-car sets, 22010 and 22011, which arrived in July 2007, suffered corrosion damage in transit from South Korea. They were returned to Rotem for repair in October 2008, with a revised delivery date. It was later determined that it was uneconomic to repair them and two replacement units with the same numbers were provided at no cost to Iarnród Éireann.

RTÉ Music Train at Connolly Station Photo: © Michael Fisher

The ICRs are divided into three car sets and six car sets, and have two internal configurations. The first 30 units are all three cars, and are all intended for use on Intercity routes, as are ten of the 15 six car units. The remaining five 6-car sets, plus the 17 three car sets ordered in 2008 are configured for long-range commuter services to and from Dublin. Combinations of two 3-car sets, three 3-car sets, two 6-car sets and a 3-car set + a 6-car set are possible. In case of emergency, they can operate in formations of up to 18 cars.

RTÉ Music Train at Connolly Station Photo: © Michael Fisher

RTÉ Music Train waits at Newbridge Station with regular interCity service to Heuston Photo: © Michael Fisher

Features:-

Engine: MTU 6H 1800 R83, 12.8 L, 6 cylinder, 483 bhp gross, 386 bhp (288 kW) traction per car.
Transmission: Voith T 312 R
Top speed: 160 km/h (approx. 100 mph)
Body: high quality stainless steel with some corrosion-resistant carbon steel components
Automatic PA and information display systems (Supplier: SA Viewcom)
Fully air-conditioned (Supplier: Toshiba)
Saloon, external view of doors and front-facing CCTV camera and recording system (Supplier: Verint)
Catering facilities
Individual base seating
Fire safety to BS 6853 Cat 1B, automatic fire extinguishing system for engines & fuel tanks
All sets feature Irish standard CAWS signalling systems and train radio.
The first six 3-car sets fitted with Train Protection and Warning System for operation on Northern Ireland Railways.
RTÉ Music Train in siding at Carlow Station Photo: © Michael Fisher

Dimensions:-

Length: 3-car set, 70 m
Width: 2.84 m
Height: 4 m
Weight: 63 tonne, each car
Plaque at Carlow Station for Railway Engineer William Dargan Photo: © Michael Fisher

Michael Fisher travelled from Connolly Station to Carlow as a guest on the RTÉ Music train and returned courtesy of Iarnród Éireann

BIG MUSIC WEEK5

04/10/2013 by borderroamer

Luka Bloom sings ‘Don’t be afraid of the light within you’ in Newbridge Photo: © Michael Fisher

Another busy day for the RTÉ Big Music promotion in association with Iarnród Eireann. Here is today’s schedule of broadcasts on radio and television: remember to watch the Late Late Show tonight with Ryan Tubridy as the train arrives back at Connolly station in Dublin.

07:00	RTÉ 2fm	Breakfast with Hector	Join Hector and friends for a great show live from the train in Boyle station, Co Roscommon	Various
9:30, 12:35 & 16:10	RTÉjr	The Beo Show	This Big Music Week join stage manager Donie and wardrobe lady Gerty Gúna as they prepare the Beo Theatre for children from across the country	Various
10:00 & 14:35	RTÉjr	Hubble	Hubble is going musical so watch and listen as Emma and Ogié discover a musical world full of fun and interesting sounds.	Various
12:00	RTÉ Radio 1	The Ronan Collins Show	Ronan broadcasts live from Maynooth, capturing beautiful performances from The Maynooth University Chamber Orchestra with Eimear Quinn, The Lost Brothers, Heathers, Gavin James and more	The Maynooth University Chamber Orchestra with Eimear Quinn, The Lost Brothers, Heathers, Gavin James and more
Nightly	RTÉ One	RTÉ Big Music Week update	A very special update of all the day’s action from RTÉ Big Music Week
21:35	RTÉ One	The Late Late Show	As the RTÉ Big Music Week Train pulls back in to Connolly Station following an epic week, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and the RTÉ Big Music Week House Band gather in studio for a one-off live performance of Irish song-writer Brendan Graham’s RTÉ Big Music Week song. Featuring some of Ireland’s biggest and best vocalists and musicians.	The RTÉ Concert Orchestra & the RTÉ Big Music Week Train House Band with some of Ireland’s best vocalists and musical contributions collected throughout the week.
22:00	RTÉ Radio 1	The God Slot	Eileen Dunne meets experts in liturgical music for Roman Catholic, Anglican and Jewish faiths, who discuss the origins of music in their various traditions

BIG MUSIC WEEK3

02/10/2013 by borderroamer

Paul Brady singing at Connolly Station Photo: © MIchael Fisher

Nationwide
Anne Cassin climbs aboard the RTÉ music train from Dublin to Newbridge and Carlow and looks back at the history of Six One as it celebrates 25 years of broadcasting. Watch the programme here on the RTÉ Player. Broadcast on Wednesday October 2nd, 2013. You will see a brief picture of me listening to the music at Patrician Secondary School in Newbridge at 6:20 into the programme.

The Lost Brothers on board the RTÉ Music Train Photo: © MIchael Fisher

Today was Day Three of the RTÉ Big Music Week. The train travelled from Limerick via Galway to Westport in County Mayo. Tonight there was a concert in Matt Molloy’s pub, featuring Sharon Shannon, Mundy, Frankie Gavin & The Ríl De Danann, Julie Feeney, Máirtín O Connor, We Banjo 3, Matt Molloy & local musicians, Laoise Kelly and more.

Miriam O’Callaghan on board the RTÉ Music Train Photo: © MIchael Fisher

BIG MUSIC WEEK2

01/10/2013 by borderroamer

RTÉ Director General Noel Curran at Connolly station for Big Music Week Photo: © Michael Fisher

This was day two of the RTÉ Big Music Week designed to promote live music. It began yesterday at Bray station in County Wicklow with performances for early morning commuters by a host of starts including The Benzini Brothers featuring Liam Ó MaonlaÍ, Fiachna Ó Braonáin & Peter O’Toole, Luan Parle, Lisa O’Neill, The Lost Brothers & Eleanor McEvoy. The special three carriage RTÉ Music Train then made its way to Dublin’s Connolly Station where I was able to join the event. I met the RTÉ Director General Noel Curran and managed to get his picture as the Artane Band prepared to broadcast live at the end of the John Murray Show with Miriam O’Callaghan.

Paul Brady singing at Connolly Station Photo: © Michael Fisher

The Artane Band played In Dublin’s Fair City or of you prefer Molly Malone or event Cockles and Mussels to bring the programme to a lively end. Earlier Miria had introduced various top acts including Paul Brady, Luka Bloom, Kodaline, Damien Dempsey, The Bugle Babes and Bronagh Gallagher. All this was a great example of public service broadcasting at its best.

Anne Cassin RTÉ Nationwide with Doanl Lunny in Newbridge Photo: © Michael Fisher

I met several former RTÉ colleagues along the way including Nationwide presenter Anne Cassin. She was working on a package for tomorrow’s programme (Wednesday) on RTÉ at 7pm viewable here. You can see me listening to the music in the hall at 6:20. When I was talking to her she was in Newbridge where former Planxty member Christy Moore performed at his alma mater, Patrician Boys’ Secondary School. Christy had developed his passion for singing as a pupil in 1958 and he was taught to play the piano by Sr Michael.

BIG MUSIC WEEK

30/09/2013 by borderroamer

View of beach near Gormanston Co.Meath from train window Photo: © Michael Fisher

It was a beautiful morning for a journey and no better way to travel than by train. A great opportunity to see the sunrise over the sea as the train passed along the coast just after Gormanston in County Meath. My thirteen hour odyssey began at Newry station in County Armagh (it’s closer to Bessbrook!) with the departure of the 06:45 Iarnród Eireann commuter train to Dublin Connolly, a train that goes as far as Bray. Try planning a journey to Dundalk on the Translink website and you won’t find this particular service. It picks up at various stops as far as Donabate, by which time it’s a case of standing room only, then runs non-stop to Connolly. On arrival the place was buzzing with the sound of music, including the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

Miriam O'Callaghan prepares to go on air with The John Murray Show at Connolly Station Photo: © Michael Fisher

A great start to the Big Music Week at Connolly Station with an hour long John Murray Show presented by Miriam O’Callaghan. Among the crowd (some of whom had joined the music train at Bray) was RTÉ’s Director General Noel Curran. Although he comes from a county (Monaghan) where the railway lines were dismantled over fifty years ago, he still has a love of trains having made the journey many times between Dublin and Dundalk, where I was writing this as I headed back to Newry on the Enterprise.

RTÉ Director General Noel Curran at Connolly Station Photo: Michael Fisher

The hour-long show at Connolly finished with the Artane Boys Band. The BIG MUSIC WEEK entourage then boarded the special three-carriage Iarnród Éireann train to Newbridge for the next stage of the proceedings.

Entertained on the Music Train by the Bugle Babes Photo: RTÉ ten

On board we were entertained by the Chattanooga Choo Choo from the Bugle Babes. Other stars travelling included the Northern duo of Paul Brady from Strabane and Bronagh Gallagher from Derry, who made a special mention of Eamonn McCann when she sang Midnight Train to Georgia for Miriam, a broadcast that went out simultaneously on 2FM and Lyric FM.

Bronagh Gallagher on board the RTÉ Music Train Photo: © Michael Fisher

Christy Moore joined the fun at the Patrician Seconday School at Newbridge in County Kildare. After a three hour stop that included a parade along the mmain street of the town led by the Army No.1 Band, it was time to head for the next stop in Carlow. More performances on the train and then in the station car park where Tullow native Selina O’ Leary was among the entertainers. After that the Music Train headed to Waterford for a concert at the Theatre Royal, a benefit gig in aid of Barnardos for whom collections were made along the way. The broadcast schedule for tomorrow, Tuesday 1st October, and other information can be found on the RTÉ Big Music Week (in association with Iarnród Eireann) website here.

9:30, 12:35 & 16:10	RTÉjr	The Beo Show	This Big Music Week join stage manager Donie and wardrobe lady Gerty Gúna as they prepare the Beo Theatre for children from across the country	Various
10:00 & 14:35	RTÉjr	Hubble	Hubble is going musical so watch and listen as Emma and Ogié discover a musical world full of fun and interesting sounds.	Various
16:00	RTÉ Two	elev8	Follow Diana Bunici’s progress as she picks up the guitar for the first time with the promise of a performance by the end of the week.	Various
17:30	RTÉ Two	Two Tube	Throughout RTÉ Big Music Week Two Tube will be on a quest to find the next big music act, as well as bringing great interviews from well-known Irish talent.	Various
20:00	RTÉ Radio 1	The John Creedon Show	For day two of RTÉ Big Music Week, John Creedon presents a live performance from Killarney’s INEC, featuring John Spillane, Ger Wolfe, Lumiere, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, I Draw Slow & others.	John Spillane, Lumiere, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, I Draw Slow & others.

TYRONE ADVANCE

21/07/2013 by borderroamer

The Curragh of Kildare. Racecourse in background.

Travelling to Kildare to watch the Lilywhites take on the Red Hands from Tyrone, my route to Newbridge took me past the Curragh. As I approached the town on the motorway, I listened to RTÉ Radio sports coverage and discovered there was a meeting on at The Curragh. I heard the commentary on the 5:40 race (Invesco Pension Consultants Minstrel Stakes) which was won by the 8/11 favourite Darwin, ridden by JP O’Brien.

By the time I reached the entrance to the Curragh military camp, the racegoers were preparing for the main event, the Darley Irish Oaks. So I stopped to look over towards the main stand and I could see that there was a good crowd, judging by the number of cars. For the record, the 6:15 race was won by Johnny Murtagh on Chicquita, at a price of 9/2. A stewards’ inquiry was called after the half-length success but the placings remained unaltered.

Banner at Newbridge Town Hall (former garrison church)

On then to Newbridge and my first job was to locate the GAA pitch. It couldn’t have been easier. I observed a crowd of Kildare supporters walking down the Main Street and saw them going up a lane beside the Town Hall (an old garrison church), where there was a big banner for Newbridge 200, a bicentenary celebration that started last September and will become the Newbridge Grassroots Festival. The local Newbridge Kildare Lions Club logo was prominent: well done, fellow Lions.

Parking was found at a nearby private car park at a rate of €1 an hour, which was very reasonable. It took five minutes to walk to the ground. The pubs and shops seemed to be benefitting from the influx of trade. So please, no more sports arenas perched in the middle of nowhere on a ring road or beside a motorway.

The crowd was just under 7500 and they managed to enter and exit without any great problems.

Kildare 0-12 Tyrone 1-11 at St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge. GAA All-Ireland Football Championship Qualifier Round 3

Michael Fisher's News

Tag Archives: Newbridge

BIG MUSIC WEEK: ARMY BAND

BIG MUSIC WEEK: CHRISTY MOORE

BIG MUSIC WEEK: NEWBRIDGE

BIG MUSIC WEEK: TRAIN

BIG MUSIC WEEK5

BIG MUSIC WEEK3

BIG MUSIC WEEK2

BIG MUSIC WEEK

TYRONE ADVANCE

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