Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann has commissioned a major new work from composer Michael Rooney to commemorate the millennium of the Battle of Clontarf and the life of Brian Boru. 2014 marks the 1,000 anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf, where Brian Ború defeated the Vikings but was slain in battle. The Boróimhe Suite will be performed by the newly reformed National Folk Orchestra of Ireland, a collection of fifty of the finest young traditional and classical musicians from eighteen different counties throughout the country.

Further details at: www.comhaltas.ie or www.draiochtmusic.com

The dates and venues for the Boróimhe Suite are..

Monday 21 April Clasaċ Clontarf. Dublin 3.

Tuesday 22 April Armagh Cathedral, Co. Armagh

Wednesday 23 April St. Flannan’s Church, Killaloe, Co. Clare

Thursday 24 April Brú Ború, Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

August 2014- Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, Sligo.

The Boróimhe Suite which features music, song and dance receives its world premier in Clasaċ,Clontarf on Monday 21st April will also be performed in Armagh Cathedral, St. Flannan’s Church,Killaloe, Co. Clare and Brú Ború in Cashel, Co. Tipperary, all significant sites in the story of Brian Ború. The suite will also be peformed at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Sligo. Michael has been chosen as the Ard-Ollamh for the Fleadh Cheoil this August.

 Michael Rooney is widely regarded as one of the finest exponents of the Irish harp in traditional Irish music. Living in Ballintogher, Co. Sligo, Michael has composed eight major suites of music in the past fifteen years, including ‘Boróimhe’(2014), ‘The De Cuellar Suite’ (2011) ‘The Battle of the Books Suite’, ‘The Famine Suite’ and ‘The Millennium Suite’. Michael performed in Dublin Castle for Queen Elizabeth on her visit to Ireland and his music featured on RTE’s documentary of Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Ireland; The Queen’sSpeech’. He has recorded two CDs with flute player June McCormack; ‘Draíocht’ and ‘Land’s End’.

Michael has published three books of his own compositions; ‘Harp Tunes’ (2006), Aifreann Gaeilge (2012) and ‘The de Cuéllar Suite’ (2012). He is much in demand as an arranger, musician and accompanist in traditional music circles

The National Folk Orchestra of Ireland was first formed in the late 1980s and has always attracted the most gifted young Irish traditional musicians and singers. Mr. Rooney has augmented the soundof the Folk Orchestra with the inclusion of a group of highly skilled classical musicians. The resultingsound is something very special. The composer said “I could not be happier with the with how theOrchestra has interpreted my work. Many of the musicians are skilled in both codes and their passionand enthusiasm for the piece is very gratifying. We are all excited about the upcoming performances”

Choreographers for the show, Colette McAllister and Niall Holly have many years experience between them. Colette has choreographed many of the Comhaltas Tours over the years and was responsible for a Dance version of Shaun Davey’s “Brendan Voyage” that toured Brittany in the1980’s –predating Riverdance by almost 15 years. Niall danced the lead in “Lord of the Dance” and has been both All Ireland and World Champion. He has also taught a number of current Champions.