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from Michael Hurley Compositions
My 2015 commission to write a suite of music ‘Between the Jigs and the Marches’ for a cross-border initiative between musicians from Connacht and Ulster-Scots, was premiered at the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Sligo. Despite a troubled history, the two cultures on the island of Ireland have very much in common, including music.
The practices for the performance were held in the County Sligo seaside village of Mullaghmore, which played a significant, tragic part in the ‘Troubles’. The country is at peace once again thankfully, and musicians from both traditions are able to play in harmony.