Prestigious honour for pitch-perfect NCW pupils

NEWCASTLE WEST'S Gaelscoil Ó Doghair, is celebrating a major achievement after its music group, Raic sa Teach, was named a winner in the prestigious Waltons RTÉ Lyric FM Music for Schools competition.

The group performed at the National Concert Hall in Dublin on March 24, one of just twelve schools selected to take part in the finalists' concert.

Six primary schools and six secondary schools from all over Ireland were represented at the competition. All schools gave a five minute performance based on this year's theme The Key of Life.
Guest adjudicators on the day of the competition were singer-songwriter Lisa Hannigan and Aedín Gormley, RTÉ Lyric Fm. While the adjudicators took some time for their deliberations the audience was treated to four songs from the Irish group The Ocelots.

The adjudicators were full of praise for all of the young musicians who had brought such life to the stage of the National Concert Hall. Ms Hannigan said that she had been moved to tears during many of the performances, and that it reminded her of the fact that there is nothing better than making music with your friends.

Gaelscoil Ó Doghair was awarded third prize in the primary school category. Along with the trophy and certificate, the school will receive €500 worth of musical instruments.

The Raic sa Teach music group is directed by Gaelscoil parents Deirdre Cussen and Oonagh McMahon, with the support of school principal Caitlín Mionbhíol.

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Dressed in their school uniforms, Raic sa Teach began their performance when one of the youngest members of the group, Madison, unlocked the music by carrying a large golden key to cellist Micheál, who led the way with the familiar riff of The White Stripes' Seven Nation Army.

The music grew in volume as violinists Harry, Jim, John and Hugh joined in, along with concertina players Robyn and Rosie. Tin whistles added another powerful layer to the melodic riff, with Daniel, Róisín, Riley, Oliver, Bríd and Aisling not missing a note.

Percussion players Shane and Seán added to the drama with a powerful steady beat played on drum and claves. Then the singers Alice, Ruth, Ciara, Jennifer, Maya, Alice, Donncha, Mai, Martha, Sienna, Sophia, Madison and Frankie sang their own lyrics to the tune of the White Stripes' melody.

The music moved on to a rap section when Sophia, Micheál and Martha took to the front of the stage with their moves and vocals, spreading the message that music was the key to peace, not war. The performance flowed into a rendition of Kila's Bí Ann with Micheál demonstrating his rhythmic bodhrán skills.

A version of Bob Marley's Three Little Birds as Gaeilge followed, with singers and instrumentalists impressing the adjudicators with their Reggae fusion.

The performance concluded with an original and moving song sung in both English and Irish. The music grew to a climax, with ukulele siblings Molly and Rose, and guitar siblings Eva May and Harry, adding rhythm and drive to bring the performance to a powerful conclusion.

The school hall in Newcastle West was also filled with pride as the school community gathered to watch the livestream on a big screen.