Music Generation Carlow and Carlow County Library Instrument Bank

Supported by Carlow County Council.

Music Generation Carlow is delighted to announce the launch of a new music education resource for young people and musicians in County Carlow.  The Music Generation Carlow Instrument Bankwill officially be launched on Wednesday 22nd October at 5pm in Carlow County Library, Tullow Street, Carlow. 

Music Generation Carlow in partnership with Carlow County Council, through its Library services, is developing an extensive music library resource for the county.  The Music Generation Carlow Library resource, as part of phase one, now holds a wide range of musical instruments which will be available on loan to library users in the county.  This resource will be accessible through the Carlow inter-library loan service in local branches countywide (Borris, Carlow and Tullow libraries) and will be of great value and support to music students, music teachers and music enthusiasts throughout the county. Phase two of the Music Generation Carlow Instrument Bank will be rolled out early in the New Year.

Speaking about the initiative, Paula Phelan, Music Generation Carlow co-ordinator, said “Music Generation Carlow is thrilled to launch this new initiative. I am hoping that it will give children and young people in County Carlow access to an instrument in an affordable way. This resource will fundamentally change the landscape of performance education in County Carlow”. 

Arts Officer, Sinead Dowling said “Carlow County Council are delighted, in partnership with Music Generation Carlow, to have secured a music instrument bank for the county that is accessible, available and driven by local need.  This will provide an enormous opportunity for the young people and children throughout the county to engage in music education, formally and informally.  The potential that this brings to the county, adding value to the phenomenal demand for music for young people in this county now allows access for all, isn’t that an exciting prospect?”

County Librarian, Josephine Coyne has said “Carlow County Library Service is delighted to be able to facilitate this innovative project and by using the already well-established network of library branches, it allows children and young people to easily access instruments through their local library and highlights the role of the library in providing access to all kinds of information and resources. We look forward to working in collaboration with Music Generation Carlow”. 

The National Director of Music Generation, Rosaleen Molloy, will be in attendance on the night and there will also be live music which will include musicians from Music Generation Carlow.

Since its inception in 2013, Music Generation Carlow, part of Music Generation - Ireland’s National Music Education Programme, initiated by Music Network, co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Skills and Local Music Education Partnerships, has implemented a range of music education services for young people in Carlow. Locally, Music Generation Carlow is managed by Co. Carlow Music Education Partnership and funded by KCETB and Carlow Local Authorities. It is a county wide initiative that is guided by core values of access, quality, partnership, diversity, creativity and sustainability. MGC facilitates four key strands of delivery: Little People Big Voices (childcare), Encore (primary), Bravo (secondary) and the HUBS (community). Through these four strands, which cater for children and young people from the age of 0-18, a high quality performance music education journey is a real possibility for every child in the county.   

For further information visit www.musicgenerationcarlow.ie