COVID CONCERT CREW GET TOGETHER FOR NCH SHOW

GERALD Peregrine is one of the unsung heroes of the pandemic, a man who brought music back into the lives of people in nursing homes and residential care when visitors were banned. His moving and important series of Covid Care Concerts is still going strong and now he is holding a huge event in the National Concert Hall.

The Covid Care Concert will be presented by Miriam O’Callaghan. It will feature a 47-piece orchestra conducted by David Brophy, including an array of talent who have taken part in some of the 1,200 concerts that have happened so far. Claudia Boyle, Steve Cooney, Mary Coughlan, Dermot Dunne, Jerry Fish, Red Hurley, Niamh Kavanagh, Seán Keane, Des Keogh, John Spillane, Anthony Kearns, Lynda O’Connor, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Prof Luke O’Neill, Simon Morgan, Na Casaidigh, Sandra Oman, Eimear Quinn, Gavan Ring, Sibéal, Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta, Kelly Ann Masterson, Sylvia O’Brien and cellist Gerald are among those who will

perform on June 15. Cellist and organiser Gerald (pictured) says the project both brought music to people who could’t access it and also helped keep freelance musicians in employment. ‘The project is the largest arts-led response of its kind on a global level and speaks to the heart of the Irish spirit and sense of community,’ he says.

‘The project brought household names to the doorstep of residential care settings across Ireland at a time when all visitors and occupational arts were restricted. The project continues in 2022, with over 600 additional concerts planned throughout the year.’

A portion of the tickets will be given for free to frontline workers and residents from care homes and hospitals Tickets are on sale now from nch.ie.