The Clare Youth Trad Orchestra bring you three pieces of music created remotely and online by the 50 teenagers that form the orchestra, directed by renowned trad piano player Padraic O’Reilly.

The Clare Youth Trad Orchestra was formed in the Spring of 2017, to perform a one-off concert in the Shannon Aerodrome at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Ennis.

Such was the reception from the 1400-strong audience on that night in August, it was agreed by all involved that it would be a pity for it not to continue, and thus the Clare Youth Trad Orchestra was born.

The orchestra have since performed four times in Glór in Ennis, to sell-out audiences. In their short life, they have performed with some of the greats of Irish music - Sharon Shannon, Joanie Madden, Kieran Hanrahan, Don Stiffe, Seamus Begley, Oisín MacDiarmada and Sean Keane, to name but a few.

The 50-strong membership comprises of teenagers from County Clare. They have released a CD entitled “Live in Glór” in aid of Crumlin Hospital, which was a best-seller in Clare in 2020. In recent times, their activity has been curtailed by restrictions, but they are delighted to have this opportunity to perform remotely and are very thankful to St. Patrick’s Festival 2021 for the opportunity to perform virtually to a world-wide audience.

All St Patrick’s Festival events can be viewed on SPF TV on the festival’s website: www.stpatricksfestival.ie/spftv