‘Wildest dreams’ come true for Laois harpist at U2’s 50th
Mountmellick musician ‘starstruck’ after playing with U2 at Mount Temple school
A young Laois musician was left starstruck last week after playing alongside U2 at the band’s 50th concert at their old school in Dublin.
Kiêu Conroy (17), a young harpist with Music Generation Laois, joined an ensemble of 32 string players from each county in Ireland today to perform ‘One’ alongside megastars U2.
The iconic Irish rock band performed in Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Clontarf to mark 50 years since Larry Mullen pinned a handwritten note - ‘Drummer Seeks Musicians To Form Band’ - to the noticeboard of the school in September 1976.
Kiêu had a prominent front-row seat playing her harp at the concert last week with Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen and Adam Clayton. She said taking part meant the absolute world to me.
"I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d get the opportunity to play alongside such amazing and iconic musicians like U2.
"I was totally starstruck and honestly felt very emotional listening to Bono introduce us. I’m so grateful to everyone in Music Generation who made today possible, and especially to U2 for supporting Music Generation and helping to create incredible opportunities like this for young musicians.
“I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of it. I hope U2 truly realise just how much their contribution to Music Generation and to music education means to young people across Ireland. The opportunities they help create can have such a lasting impact,” she said.
Kiêu reflected on an unforgettable experience. MORE BELOW PHOTO.
“This day will stay with me forever,” she said.
Rosa Flannery is the Music Development Officer at Music Generation Laois. She congratulated the Mountmellick harpist and spoke about the support given by the Rock band to music in Laois.
'We were delighted to be part of U2's celebrations at Mount Temple Comprehensive School, and we are very grateful to U2 for their ongoing support to Music Generation Laois. Their support means we can continue to provide access to music education and musical instruments to as many people as possible across Co Laois,” she said.
Ms Flannery said Kiêu first signed up to harp classes in St Joseph’s Mountmellick Girls NS through a longstanding partnership programme between Music Generation Laois and the school. She said Kiêu continues to attend weekly harp classes and harp ensemble with Siobhan Buckley of Music Generation Laois, in Laois Music Centre in Portlaoise.
Over the years, Kiêu has performed at many local, national and international events with Music Generation Laois, most recently travelling to Toronto to perform at the World Harp Congress, as well as performing at Forest Fest and Electric Picnic.
Music Generation Laois was established in 2012. It was one of the first counties where the programme was established thanks to a €7 million donation from U2 and The Ireland Funds in 2010 to Music Network
Laois was in the second phase of expansion when the Department of Education joined in funding. Cork City, Wicklow, and South Dublin were also part of the second phase.
U2 bass player Adam Clayton spoke to RTÉ about Music Generation after the Mount Temple show.
"I think it's the thing we're most proud of, and we were very happy to have the Music Generation students with us," he said. MORE BELOW PHOTO.
He recalled how it had begun as "a small idea that grew and grew", adding that 115,000 music lessons are run a week through the initiative.
"Music changed our lives, and for other people to have the opportunity to do that, no matter whether they can make a living out of it, is something we're very proud of," he said.
Music Generation Laois is part of the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board and supported by Laois County Council.
Over 5000 children, young people and adults take part in weekly programmes with Music Generation Laois in 22 primary schools, three secondary schools, IPAS Centres, youth and community settings, as well as music classes and ensemble opportunities in the Laois Music Centre in Portlaoise.
See musicgenerationlaois.ie for further information on what's available.