Liam Sheedy to compere Roscrea concert
Former Tipperary senior hurler and team manager Liam Sheedy will compere the big concert starring the Ormond Octaves Choir along with Aishling Rafferty and guests to be staged in the Catholic Church in Roscrea on Friday night, February 17, at 8pm.
Sheedy, who guided Tipperary senior hurlers as manager to All Ireland victories in 2010 and 2019, and who himself wore the blue and gold jersey with distinction, is this time lining out for a different cause - taking up the role of Master of Ceremonies for what promises to be a memorable night of music to raise funds for Saint Cronan's Day Services.
Meanwhile teachers in four primary schools in Roscrea taking part in the gala concert have spoken about the excitement of pupils in the buildup to the big night.
With tickets currently on sale for the concert in Roscrea, Nenagh, Thurles and Birr, it's set to be a very special night for the children of the four schools as they perform alongside the 60-member Ormond Octaves Choir from Nenagh and Glór Tíre Country Music winner Aishling Rafferty.
Pupils from Scoil Eoin NS, Scoil Mhuire Lismakin, Dromakeenan NS and Gaelscoil Shlí Dála are eagerly looking forward to the night, where they will also perform with Rose Lineen and Linda De Lewis of Saint Cronan's.
All four schools say they feel privileged to be singing to raise funds for Saint Cronan's Association, which provides a fantastic range of disability services across four sites in Roscrea, Nenagh and Birr to 150-plus adults living with a mild-moderate disability.
LOVE OF MUSIC
A great love of music is evident in Scoil Mhuire, Lismackin, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary later this year. Principal of the school of 108 pupils, Declan Smith, says its most recent Christmas Concert was a “terrific event”, and added that all the children were looking forward to the upcoming concert. “This is going to be yet another exciting opportunity to showcase their talents,” he said.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Deirdre Bergin at Scoil Chrónáin Naofa (Dromakeenan NS) where music has always been an integral part of activities.
“We are lucky to have been involved in the Music Generation programme for the last number of years,” says Ms Bergin, who points to several musical events in which the school has taken part at local and national level.
“We are delighted to have been invited to take part in this concert,” said Ms Bergin, who went on to reveal that the children have been receiving tutoring for their performance from Ailbhe Kelly of Music Generation.
Separately, Teresa Kennedy of Gaelscoil Shlí Dala in a statement said the school was delighted to have the opportunity to take part in a concert that is being organised to raise funds for Saint Cronan's, a charity that was providing such important and essential services in the local community.
Meanwhile, Scoil Eoin Naofa teacher Laura Ryan said music is very much to the fore in the co-educational school.
“We were delighted to be asked to take part in the concert with the Ormond Octaves for Saint Cronan’s Services,” said Ms Ryan, who went on to reveal the children from 3rd to 6th class have been busy practising songs.
What a night it promises to be for all these children to be showcasing their talents in front of parents and audience members from all over north Tipperary and further afield who will be supporting this worthy cause.
TICKET SALES
Tickets (€20) for the concert are currently available at the Parish Offices in Roscrea, Birr and Templemore. They are also available in the Cinnamon Alley café in Nenagh and The Bookworm in Thurles.