Patrick Cassidy Summer School 2022
March 28, 2022
Announcing the inaugural Patrick Cassidy Summer School 2022 to be held at the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris, County Mayo from 29-30 April, 2022, commencing with a tribute concert and a series of workshops based on the theme: The Inside Track on Composing Music in Movies, Theatre & Stage.
Background
The concept evolved from Patrick Cassidy’s return to his hometown of Claremorris with the RTE Concert Orchestra to perform one of his works, Famine Remembrance to commemorate the centenary of Claremorris Parish Church in 2012. The European Premiere of this composition was extremely well received by the attendees and the press which collectively acknowledged this fine masterpiece from Patrick’s ensemble built up over the years. Since Patrick’s move to Los Angeles after making a name for himself with renowned Irish themed works such as Deirdre of the Sorrows and Children of Lir, his career progressed to writing musical scores for such high-profile movies as Hannibal, Kingdom of Heaven and with Calvary, which was filmed on location in Easkey, County Sligo. He also composed the score for the RTE TV series ‘1916 – The Irish Rebellion’.
“Through regular contact, we came up with the idea of establishing a Summer School dedicated to the subject of music in film and stage. We see a huge opportunity to attract young talented music composers into the world of film and theatre by hosting presentations, workshops and recitals from some of the top stars and representatives in the business. With this inaugural event in mind, we have an interesting and entertaining programme planned with a blend of performances and workshops over the beginning of the May Public Holiday weekend, held at the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris,” explained Jarlath Sweeney, on behalf of the organizing committee.
Theme: The Inside Track on Composing Music in Movies, Theatre & Stage
A unique opportunity to learn how modern composition for film and stage is undertaken, with full explanation on how the business works.
Target audience
Local Schools, Schools of Music nationwide, and University students of music, Choral & Musical groups, plus music lovers and fans of Patrick Cassidy and his compositions.
Programme
The Patrick Cassidy Summer School 2022, in association with Home to Mayo, Claremorris Credit Union & Touchstore, will commence with a recital of Patrick Cassidy works by the Limerick University School of Music, the Maynooth Chamber Choir, Music Generation Mayo Harp Ensemble, Westport Children’s Choir and Harry Carpendale, with Anne-Marie Gibbons joining in. The performances will take place on Friday 29 April in Claremorris at the McWilliam Park Hotel. This will be a ticket only event and available to purchase on line. Tickets: €25 on sale through: www.claremorrischamber.ie and/or www.patrickcassidy.com
Special Guests & Performers
On Saturday 30 April, the organisers will host a series of workshops at the McWilliam Park Hotel with presentations by Patrick Cassidy and Michael Dawson. The workshops will focus on music and song composition, commissioning, and practical advice on the business end of the industry. Admission is free but registration is required through through: www.claremorrischamber.ie and/or www.patrickcassidy.com.
About Patrick Cassidy
Renowned Irish composer, Patrick Cassidy was born in Claremorris, Co. Mayo in 1956. He came into prominence with the release of the ‘Children of Lir’ (the setting of the great legend), the first major symphonic work written in the Irish language. Recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra and the Tallis Choir, it remained at number one in the Irish Classical Charts for over a year.
He has worked in many various formats, including TV, opera, and film. His Aria Vide Cor Meum, commissioned by Han Zimmer, featured in the films Hannibal (2001) and Kingdom of Heaven (2005). Patrick is best known for his Narrative Cantatas – works he has written for Orchestra and Choir based on Irish Mythology.
The Cassidy family lived on Convent Road in Claremorris and his late father Colm, and mother Kathleen operated a Chemist shop on Dalton Street in the town. Patrick received a Degree in Applied Mathematics from Limerick University, and supported his early compositional activities with a day job as a statistician.
‘Famine Remembrance’, a commissioned piece to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Irish Famine was premiered in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York in 1996. A recording of the piece was released the following year. The European premiere held in Claremorris, Co. Mayo in April 2012.
Other albums include ‘Cruit’, arrangements of 17th and 18th century Irish harp music with Cassidy as the soloist and ‘Deirdre of the Sorrows’, another Cantata in the Irish language recorded with The London Symphony Orchestra and The Tallis Choir.
In 2004 ‘Immortal Memory’ was released; a collaboration between Cassidy and Lisa Gerrard who won a Golden Globe for ‘Gladiator’.
Cassidy lives in Los Angeles where in addition to his concert work, he has scored and collaborated on films and documentaries. Notable credits include Hannibal, Veronica Guerin, Confessions of a Burning Man, Salem’s Lot, King Arthur, Layer Cake, Che Guevara, Ashes and Snow, Kingdom of Heaven, The Front Line.
The aria Cassidy wrote for Hannibal, ‘Vide Cor Meum’, is the only piece by a living composer on Warner Classics 2006 compilation ’40 Most Beautiful Arias’. It now features on many classical collections and performed by such luminaries as Katherine Jenkins and Sarah Brightman.
In June 2007 ‘Famine Remembrance’ will be performed at the opening of Toronto’s Ireland Park with the President of Ireland as special guest.
The Eligy from his Immortal Memory album featured in the Trailer for the Hollywood blockbuster – “Superman: Man of Steel”. Patrick was bestowed with the decoration of ‘Cavaliere’ (Knight) in the Order ‘Stella d’Italia’ by the Italian Government for his new opera Dante, celebrating the life of the great Italian philosopher and poet. Patrick Cassidy most recent work a new setting of “The Mass” is an historic undertaking in the world of modern classical composition, communicating the aspirations of our time, our place and our culture in an unbroken musical tradition which has spanned a thousand years.
- First Latin Mass in the tradition of the “Great Masses” to be composed in over 100 years.
- Performed by the London Symphony Orchestra – Recorded and produced at Abbey Road Studios in London.
- Patrick’s body of work reflects very much his personal journey as a composer.
- At a special concert ceremony, the Los Angeles’s First Congregational Church premiered The Mass on 19 March 2022.
- An excerpt of the mass can be viewed here
- Patrick was honoured at 147th St. Patrick’s Day Irish Day Civic Ceremonies, by the City of Los Angeles, bestowed with the “Irishman of the Year 2022”
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Connacht title and €5,000 from Ulster Bank for Claremorris Colts RFC
September 11, 2015
Congratulations to Claremorris Colts RFC, Connacht winner of the Ulster Bank RugbyForce and a support package of €5,000 to develop the game.
Pictured: Kevin O’Malley, John Dempsey Ulster Bank Branch Manager Claremorris, Paul Cunnane, Fergal Leonard, and Jimmy Flynn Claremorris Chamber of Commerce. The €5,000 prize will go towards maintaining and renovating the Club Grounds at Claremount.
Pic Conor McKeown
The Colts plan to improve facilities for girls, as a lack of changing facilities means they can only offer them mini rugby just now. The plan is to renovate a disused building, clean and paint inside and out, and install toilets and showers. This will support a girls youth rugby programme for the upcoming season.
Paul Cunnane, Club Treasurer, said: “We were formed in 2009 and we have grown from an initial membership of 80 mini rugby players to approximately 300 members encompassing minis, youths and adult rugby players. These funds will enable us to continue growing our member base and we are very grateful to Ulster Bank for this support.”
Mayo County Council losing €40,000 a year on paid parking
September 5, 2012
But real losses could be over €600,000 warns local business leader
Mayo County Council has spent at least €200,000 more than it has earned from car parking charges since 2008, shock new figures reveal. The figures, released by Claremorris Chamber of Commerce ahead of crunch talks with the Council on paid parking in Claremorris and Ballinrobe, show the local authority is on target to lose at least €40,000 this year alone.
“The County Council would sooner throw town centres into an unmarked grave than admit they’re losing this money”, said Claremorris Chamber president Jimmy Flynn. “Since 2008, they’ve spent €163,000 more than they earned from paid parking. This year, a further €42,000 will be lost. That’s €205,000 wasted on collection costs in just five years”, he said.
The figures were calculated from an analysis of Mayo County Council’s published, adopted budgets for 2008 to 2012.
Traders in the two south Mayo towns have been battling the County Council for months for a fair deal on parking. They say giving one hour free parking on weekdays and free parking on Saturday would be like a magnet in drawing shoppers back to town centre shops. It would also help level the playing field with edge-of-town centres, which offer free parking.
In Westport and Swinford, the first hour of street parking every day is free and business leaders in Claremorris and Ballinrobe are baffled as to why there is a different rule for their towns. “The simple truth is the bureaucracy is fiddling while small business is burning”, said Jimmy Flynn. “Mayo County Council say they borrowed €4.5m to buy land and build car parks in Claremorris and Ballinrobe. If that’s being paid back over 10 years, it’s costing €570,000 a year. So, the real losses from paid parking could be as high as €610,000 a year. Why should our towns have to carry the can for that?”
Leaders from the two business organisations will meet the Council this Wednesday (5 September) in an effort to settle the issue. However, they have warned that they will not hesitate to escalate their action if a fair deal isn’t forthcoming.
Christmas Lights Under Threat
July 31, 2012
The Christmas Lights may not be errected this year due to the serious debt and high cost of erecting and maintaining them each year. Below is an interview Jimmy Flynn, Chamber President did with the Western People on 31 July 2012.
If you would like to support the Christmas Lights click on the donate button or you can lodge money into the Claremorris Chamber A/C No: 11764268 Sort Code 90-37-60 IBAN IE34 BOFI 9037 6011 7642 68 Swift Code/BIC Code BOFIIE2D. Reference Claremorris Christmas Lights and your name. Any donations are greatly appreciated.
Motorway Back on Track
July 20, 2012
The Chamber is delighted that the Government have given the go-ahead for
the M17-M18 Tuam-Gort motorway. This is critical infrastructure – vital to our
town and region. Work could start as early as next year and should take about
three years. The motorway will begin about 10 miles south of Claremorris and
will cut the journey time to Galway in half.
Representatives of the Chamber have since met Transport Minister Leo
Varadkar to discuss the detail and to lobby him to sanction the next phase of
the motorway, from Milltown to Claremorris. It’s too soon to say when money will
be available. However, we will continue to lobby hard for the next phase, as we
have successfully done for this one.
place to do business. It’s yet another resource to add to the stockpile we have,
including industrial-grade electricity, broadband and natural gas connectivity.
Claremorris now offers industry 110kV power supplies, 156Mb broadband speeds,
and connectivity to Corrib when it comes on stream.
Turn Claremorris PINK Raises €18,437 for Mayo Cancer Support
May 24, 2012
Turn Claremorris PINK day raises €18746 for Mayo Cancer Support
The committee of ‘Turn Claremorris PINK’ has formally handed over a cheque to Angela Kirrane for €18,437 which was the proceeds from the event held in April in aid of Mayo Cancer Support. The Turn Claremorris PINK day was a huge success and the committee would like to thank all who were involved in the day and to all who contributed to the fundraiser.
€18437 raised in Turn Claremorris PINK 2012
Angela Kirrane of Mayo Cancer Support said they are delighted with the amount raised in Claremorris, all of which will be used in their Rock Road House facility in Castlebar to help suffers and families of cancer victims, and that it was a fantastic fundraising day to be involved in. Read the letter from Mayo Cancer Support.
The town was a sea of pink with balloons, tee shirts and fancy dress. The ‘live’ music helped create a wonderful atmosphere and Mid West Radio greatly enhanced the whole event. Even the weather was in harmony.
Angela expressed her sincere and heartfelt thanks to the Turn Claremorris PINK Committee for this enormous effort on their behalf. It was a day to remember and the goodness generated will continue to flow to the people in our county who need our support.
A special Mass will be said on June 16th at 10am in St Colman’s Church Claremorris for all those who were remembered on the Tree of Remembrance that was in the Square on April 21st – the tree is now placed in Clare Lake.
New President for Claremorris Chamber
April 19, 2012
The AGM of Claremorris Chamber took place on April 3rd in the Town Hall. Mr Jimmy Flynn of Flynn’s Pharmacy was voted in as the President for the Chamber for the next two years. Outgoing President Eugene Waldron, told the meeting that it was an honour to have been President for the Chamber over the last two years and he had met some wonderful people in his role. As he presented the President’s Chain to Jimmy he wished him luck and said he believed that Jimmy would do great work for businesses and Claremorris during his term of office.
Claremorris is getting in the PINK
April 11, 2012
Claremorris is turning PINK again on April 21st for its annual fundraising day for Cancer. This year proceeds are being donated to Mayo Cancer Support who provides wonderful support to people going through cancer in their premises in Rock House in Castlebar. The day will be filled with fun and entertainment for all the family starting at 11am in the Square. Some of the events include a Children’s Treasure Hunt, Beavers Bouncy Castles, and local sports clubs organising events throughout the day. Mid West Radio will broadcast live from town in the morning.
Entertainment will be on stage at the Square all day with 20 bands appearing including Gerry Guthrie, Matt Keane and The Sierras. There is also a comedy Sketch planned for the afternoon that it not to be missed and our very own DJ Michael Burke will be the master of ceremonies for the day
Later in the afternoon an Interactive Styling Class and Fashion parade will take place in the very stylish surroundings of Maxwell’s. Ten beautiful ladies who have all being through Cancer will show off clothes from Claremorris Boutiques, they will also be made up by the local Hair Salons and Beauticians. Rita Mellet of RMI Branding will show you The Top Ten steps to the perfect wardrobe and what types of clothes suit body shapes.
A Tree of Remembrance where people can place a ribbon in memory of those who they have lost through Cancer will be at the Square on the day. A special Mass will be commemorated for all the people later in the year.
So join Claremorris on April 21st in what should be a fun filled day
The wall is so bright I've got to wear shades: X (with the brush and the shades) and Y (with the roller) paint the Arch in Claremorris ahead of the annual Turn Claremorris Pink event, in aid of Mayo Cancer Support. Photo: Karl Keaney.
Shopping Survey
August 1, 2011
Claremorris Chamber in association with ARMS Marketing conducted a survey of shoppers in Claremorris to get an insight to their perception of shopping in Claremorris and to see how we can improve their experience.
Some of the key points that was found from the survey includes
- Parking – over 70% of respondents requested 15-20 minutes free parking and 50% indicated that parking should be free
- Upkeep of the Town – Survey participants thought the town was fairly well maintained but felt there were alot of empty shops that could do with a “facelift”
- Signage to Town Centre and Facilities available – the town centre should be promoted more from the main entrances into Claremorris along with the facilities and shops available there
- Town Promotions and Events – Of the shoppers surveyed over 60% would like to see a proposed loyalty card scheme to entice shoppers and reward them for shopping in Claremorris and the running of promotional events in town received just under 40%
The Chamber is actively working on the results found in order to give the customer a better shopping experience in Claremorris. If you would like more information on the survey see the attached results and findings. Claremorris Shoppers Survey May 2011
