Skip to main content

Oriel Traditional Orchestra Return to DkIT

26 September 2022

Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) are delighted to announce that the Oriel Traditional Orchestra (OTO) will return to rehearsals on campus from Saturday 17 September. The Orchestra is extending an invitation to all musicians and would love to welcome new members.

Established in 2018, the Oriel Traditional Orchestra (OTO) are an award-winning, intergenerational, cross border community orchestra based in Louth, Armagh, and Monaghan. They have been an ensemble in residence at DkIT since 2019 and have collaborated with students on the BA (Hons) Music for a memorable concert in An Tàin Arts Centre in Dundalk in 2020. Their rehearsals in the Fr McNally Recital Room were interrupted for a time by COVID-19 restrictions and even though they persevered, including engaging in online activities, they are delighted to be back using the wonderful facilities at DkIT.



Most recently the Orchestra (OTO) partnered with Féile Patrick Byrne in Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan to commission a new work from internationally acclaimed composer Dave Flynn which was inspired by the heritage of the region and was funded by the Arts Council of Ireland. They are currently collaborating with DkIT researcher Colleen Savage to explore the song traditions of the border region, with a particular focus on South Armagh. Savage’s research is funded by the Technological Universities Transformation Fund and co-supervised by Dr Daithí Kearney and Dr Gearóid Trimble. The collaboration with the Orchestra (OTO) is supported by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council with funding under the Co-Operation NI scheme from the Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

The Oriel Traditional Orchestra (OTO) were also the focus of a recent article by DkIT Researchers Dr Daithí Kearney, Dr Adèle Commins and Dr Philip McGuinness in a special issue of the Journal of Music, Health and Wellbeing that examined challenges and changing practices in music activities as a result of COVID-19.

For more information on the Oriel Traditional Orchestra or to request membership applications see orieltrad.org or watch our celebration of the heritage of the Oriel region on YouTube (Performing Oriel's Heritage - The Oriel March).The Oriel Traditional Orchestra is a registered charity, 20200515.

All Media Enquiries

  • Marketing & Communications