A bedrock of living culture and tradition
AS Rockchapel is ‘ Séipéal na Carraige’ it fittingly has a cornerstone ot the life of the community in ‘Bruach Na Carraige’.
Bruach Na Carraige is a cultural centre that has has not only nurtured more than a generation of musicians, singers and story-tellers, it has also attracted visitors from across the globe and, equally, exported the lore of Irish heritage to Europe and America.
Yet it remains an important local facility. And, importantly, the Rockchapel Comhaltas based group “Ceoltoiri Sliabh Luachra” will present their show “The Path to 1916” in Bruach Na Carraige Rockchapel on Easter Monday night April the 17th starting at 8pm.
This show deals with the history of Ireland through music, song and dance from the arrival of Strongbow in 1169 to the 1916 rising.
Bruach na Carraige was established in 1998 as a cultural and heritage centre developed by the community, for the community and run by a voluntary community committee. It offers a space where Irish music, culture and traditions may be celebrated, expressed and shared authentically in the Sliabh Luachra style.
Originally, Rockchapel Comhaltas provided the inspiration for a ‘ teach cheoil’ in the area which would serve not only as a concert venue to promote the wealth of music and culture in Rockchapel itself, but also as a centre of excellence for Irish traditional music in Sliabh Luachra and Ireland as a whole.
Bruach na Carraige was the first project in the region to realise the potential that Sliabh Luachra music and traditions of times past could have on the present in the region. The development of the auditorium and interpretative centre is recognised nationally and internationally as a centre of excellence for Sliabh Luachra traditions, regional history and most of all live performances by its’ young and enthusiastic group, Ceoltóirí Sliabh Luachra.
Opene in June 1999 by President Mary McAleese, following further extensions it is now capable of holding 120 people for events such as concerts, lectures, classes and workshops. Bruach na Carraige has an interpretative and educational space with a reference archive which facilitates study of traditional Irish music, culture and history, both regional and national, in particular.
Séisiúns, workshops, seminars and concerts are held in Bruach na Carraige throughout the year with people travelling from all over the country to view, encounter or partake in the cultural traditions of Sliabh Luachra.