An informal ceremony was held at the Contemporary Music Centre recently to mark the reinstatement of a bronze plaque commemorating the first performance of Handel’s Messiah in Fishamble Street in 1742.

Originally commissioned by the Music Association of Ireland from leading Irish sculptor Michael Biggs, the plaque was first installed on the front facade of Number 19 Fishamble Street, now the home of CMC, on 5 October 1959, two hundred years after Handel’s death.

This was a time when the connection between this small and ancient central Dublin street and one of the greatest music compositions of all time was, if not unknown, then certainly rarely thought-of. Leading members of the Music Association of Ireland at the time, among them Dr Olive Smith, Prof. Brian Boydell, Mr Máirtín McCullough, composer James Wilson and others, were behind the initiative to keep this connection alive.

The plaque -- a large and handsome bronze with elegant lettering in relief -- was removed from the building when it became derelict in the late 1980s. It was located in recent months in the storerooms of the Dublin City Archives and has now been reinstated in its original position.

Rodney Senior, Chairman of the Music Association of Ireland, and Eve O’Kelly, Director of the Contemporary Music Centre, speaking at the ceremony.

With a peculiar appropriateness for an organization working with and for composers, 19 Fishamble Street is now home to the Contemporary Music Centre and is immediately adjacent to the site of the Old Musick Hall whose foundations can be seen in the ‘Handel Courtyard’ beside it.

The Contemporary Music Centre is proud to be associated with what has proved to be one of the most significant premieres of a new work ever. If Handel were here today -- or if CMC had been there then -- he would certainly have been one of our most active clients!

In attendance at the ceremony on Tuesday, 30 March 2004 were Rodney Senior, current Chairman of the Music Association of Ireland and other members of the MAI Committee, Mrs Mary Boydell, and Mr Máirtín McCullough. Other guests included representatives of nearby St Patrick’s and Christ Church Cathedrals, whose choristers took part in the first performance of Messiah. Dermot McLaughlin, CEO of Temple Bar Properties was present, as well as representatives of Dublin City Council, other music and arts organizations, Irish composers and many friends of music in Ireland.

All are welcome to join in the annual outdoor celebration of Messiah in Fishamble Street at 1.00pm on Tuesday, 13 April 2004. Our Lady’s Choral Society with musicians, soloists and conductor Proinnsías Ó Duinn will perform excerpts from the work.