Acclaimed classical music ensemble, West Ocean String Quartet, will open next month’s Dalriada Festival with a special performance at the Flowerfield Arts Centre.
The internationally-renowned, award-winning foursome has recently celebrated ten years together with the release of their new album, ‘Ae Fond Kiss’, which has attracted rave reviews.
And they have performed with many leading artists during the past decade, including Matt Molloy from The Chieftans, Brian Kennedy, Mary Black, Liam O’Flynn and Maighread NÃ Dhomhnaill.
The Quartet has also been recognised internationally by receiving a number of awards and has performed sell-out concerts in the USA and Paris as well as in Glasgow, Belfast, Dublin and Letterkenny.
Their concert on Tuesday, February 1 is the perfect opening to the Festival, which has emerged as the result of a partnership between the Provost’s Office, University of Ulster, Coleraine and Causeway Arts Committee.
The collaboration shares a commitment to supporting the arts and engaging with local communities in the Ballymoney, Coleraine, Limavady and Moyle Council areas.
Professor Robert Hutchinson, Provost and Dean of Campus Development, Coleraine said: “In pursuit of this common interest we are presenting a programme of arts and cultural events that reflects the historical connection and cultural influence of the ancient Kingdom of Dalriada.
“This theme provides the scope for a programme that embraces the richness and diversity of Scottish and Irish music and song, celebrates the literature of the present and explores the historical links between Scotland and Ireland.”
Another visitor to the Festival will be BBC Radio Ulster’s Brian Mullen, who not only presents the weekly radio show ‘Caschlár’, but has been singing traditional songs for the past 40 years.
On Wednesday February 2, he will visit Flowerfield to give a talk on the culture of Orange music and song and its place in the traditions of Ireland and further afield.
Dalriada Festival events will be taking place in Ballymoney, Coleraine, Limavady and Moyle Council areas at a number of dates during the month of February.
For more information about further events taking place during the Festival visit www.culture.ulster.ac.uk for a brochure or contact the Cultural Development Office at the University of Ulster on (028) 7012 4449.
Tickets for the West Ocean String Quarter concert, including refreshments, are available priced £12 with a £10 concessionary rate. Contact Flowerfield Arts Centre on 028 7083 1400.