Join this diverse artistic collective as they showcase a brand new original composition on Wednesday 1st February at 12:30pm in the beautiful surroundings of 1 Windmill Lane, Windmill Quarter, City Quay, Dublin 2.

Featuring musical performances from acclaimed artists including The High Hopes Choir, Nono Madolo, Esosa Ighodaro, Seguna Akado & Robert Harvey, as well as poetry from Dublin poet John Cummins, and much more, The River Carries Us Home is an unmissable exploration of Dublin’s Docklands from past to present, through poetry and music.

From Ugandan folk songs, to traditional Irish ballads, and newly composed music, this vibrant performance celebrates everything that makes Dublin what it is today.

Admission is free but advance booking is advisable. Tickets are available via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-river-carries-us-home-sing-a-song-of-docklands-tickets-517524869817

THE RIVER CARRIES US HOME: AN EXPLORATION OF MIGRATION & CULTURAL IDENTITY

In Spring of 2022 artists Justine Nantale and Carmel Whelan, commissioned by Dublin City Council, embarked on a journey to write a song that would represent their respective homes within Dublin’s Docklands - Grand Canal and North Wall - as well as their differing cultural backgrounds.

As friends, colleagues and neighbours, living on opposite sides of the Docklands, The Liffey served not only as their border, but something which drew them together. So they turned to the river for inspiration, exploring the role of The Liffey as a source of renewal for Dublin City, and following its journey through the Docklands to where it meets the sea at Dublin Port.

Ports, particularly in Ireland, are historically associated with migration, and bear huge significance for both those leaving and entering the country. Thanks to the influx of newcomers to Ireland in the last few decades our country, and in particular, our capital city has become a cultural melting pot, full of rich, vibrant cultures. The artists wanted to celebrate these new communities, showcasing their cultural heritage and drawing on a multitude of musical cultures for inspiration.

With the help of two local schools - City Quay National School & Central Model Senior School, each positioned north and south of the river - Justine & Carmel set out to craft a song that would encapsulate the lived experience of local children and hopefully inspire these young artists to engage creatively with their local environment. The students in these schools represented a vast array of nationalities and cultures, with each child offering their own unique perspective on their relationship with their home place of Dublin City.

A series of community songwriting sessions based in North Wall, co-facilitated by artists Christian Wethered and Ríona Hartman, also drew a diverse group of enthusiastic participants, eager to share their thoughts and ideas on what the Docklands mean to them. There were numerous motivations that led each participant to walk through the door, each offering a differing view on what the final song should represent.

Slowly, a collective vision emerged, and Justine and Carmel set about bringing each element together, to create a song that represented a place that means so much to so many.