A special performance of Michael Holohan’s new work, The Road to Lough Swilly, took place recently in the National Gallery of Ireland. Written for uilleann pipes and orchestra, the work was commissioned by Na Piobairí Uilleann with funds provided by the Arts Council’s commissioning scheme. It was performed on 27 November as part of a commemorative concert of readings and music marking the 400th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Mellifont (1603), which led to the ‘Flight of the Earls’, most notably Hugh O’Neill, from Lough Swilly into exile on the continent.

The Road to Lough Swilly was performed by Mick O’Brien (uilleann pipes) and the Royal Irish Academy of Music Chamber Orchestra, director Elizabeth Csibi. Michael Holohan gave a CMC ‘Meet the Composer’ talk as part of the concert and readings were given by Stephen Rea and Donal O’Kelly. The work will be broadcast again on St Stephen’s Day (26 December) on RTÉ Radio 1 as part of Running Beast, a play by Donal O’Kelly based on the life of Hugh O’Neill.