The Contemporary Music Centre launched a promotional initiative, New Music - New Ireland, on 18 September 2008.

His Excellency, Thomas C. Foley, Ambassador of the United States of America, officially launched the initiative in the Centre on Thursday, 18 September 2008 at 3pm. The event was also attended by Eugene Downes, Chief Executive of Culture Ireland and introduced by Eve O'Kelly, Director of the Contemporary Music Centre.

New Music - New Ireland is an international programme funded by Culture Ireland. The first event is a concert in New York's Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall on 17 October 2008, showcasing contemporary Irish composers and performers. The concert is also supported by the Irish Consulate in New York.

The concert in Carnegie Hall will be followed by a performance by Jennifer Walshe at the Issue Project Room, New York on Sunday 26 October 2008 at 4pm.

The launch also featured a performance of Ailís Ní Ríain's DON'T -- one of the pieces which will be performed on the programme at Carnegie Hall -- for bass clarinet and cello by Carol McGonnell and Adrian Mantu.

For more information, please see our other news item on the event, visit our calendar, or contact the Contemporary Music Centre, 19 Fishamble Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 8, telephone 01-673 1922 or email info@cmc.ie.