Kilkenny nursing home residents to take centre-stage at music festival

Co Kilkenny nursing homes will join compatriots across the country in hosting music-themed celebrations to mark 'Nursing Homes Week'. 

'Nursing Homes Week' takes place from August 21-27 and is a celebration of nursing home care both locally and nationally, honouring residents and staff in nursing homes for the vital role they play in Irish society. 

This year, music is the theme for the celebrations as homes in Kilkenny and across the country participate in an online 'Music Speaks' festival.

Amongst the festivities will be the broadcast of music performances by nursing home residents. This will feature renditions of classics such as Danny Boy, Molly Malone, When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, Can’t Help Falling in Love, You Are My Sunshine, Que Sera, Sera, intertwined with performances by residents of different instruments, including piano, accordion and the bodhrán.

Music Speaks will also include performances from Mobile Music Machine with Niamh Kavanagh, Sive, Ross Scanlon, John McCormack and John Spillane.

Performances from the Irish Traditional Music Archive will also be opened up to nursing home residents and an online discussion will be hosted discussing the impact of music on nursing home residents.

Tadhg Daly, CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland, said: "We are thrilled to have brought together a very special and unique Music Speaks festival for nursing home residents and staff to enjoy during the Week of celebration. Nursing homes are home to truly very special people, who are tremendous characters and have a rich legacy in song and music."

Adding, "Music fulfils an absolutely integral role in nursing home care, providing comfort to residents, stimulating memories, bringing them together, and it gives great joy and happiness."