Ballinderry girl set to play in Nashville on St. Patrick’s Day

Traditional musicians studying at St Mary’s University College are visiting Music City USA to take part in the “Belfast in Nashville” St Patrick’s Day celebrations as part of events to mark the 30-year Sister City partnership between the two cities.

The purpose of the visit is to promote the strong cultural and educational links between Nashville and Belfast with the St Mary’s students bringing the sounds of traditional Irish music to the Tennessee capital this St Patrick’s Day.

The invitation to the St Mary’s students came from the Sister Cities of Nashville after a visit to the College. During the week-long trip the students will perform at the “Belfast in Nashville” festival, take part in the St Patrick’s day parade and have the opportunity to learn about the Country music industry.

The student teachers will visit St Bernard Academy in Nashville on St Patrick’s day to share with the elementary school pupils their Irish culture as well as visit Belmont and Vanderbilt Universities.

They will also visit the Grand Ole Opry and as part of their role, they will promote Belfast’s UNESCO City of Music designation.

St Mary’s student Rosie McElroy (22) from Ballinderry will be among those travelling to Nashville as part of the College musical group and welcomed the opportunity to share their passion for traditional Irish music.

After Rosie and a few of the girls performed at an event in Belfast City Hall that’s when the excitement began to build at the prospect of getting to visit Nashville in the future.

Speaking to the County Derry Post on this exciting experience Rosie said: “I suppose my experience is quite unique in that I attended a similar trip to Nashville in March 2023 with the college, as part of the St Patrick’s celebrations, and knowing how amazing and life changing this trip was for me only made me even more excited to apply to go again. Returning from this trip stateside inspired to create more social opportunities for musicians in the city of Belfast, especially students. We all know too well the effect Covid 19 had on musicians, and when I began studying at St Mary’s, there weren't nearly as many opportunities as there are now for playing. As Chairperson of the St Mary’s Traditional Music Society, I have worked to organise events within the college and around Belfast to get students out and playing music more, and it was in this role that I grew close to the four musicians I am travelling to Nashville with. They have made my experience with music in St Mary’s all the better, and there are no better four people I would want to be performing in the St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Music City with.

“Our musical fusion of old and new, Irish and American, is at the heart of our performance while we are over there. What better place to celebrate our heritage than in Music City, on the most Irish day of the year?”

Rosie has been playing the fiddle since the age of six, and reflecting on her musical journey she said: “I got started playing music with my local Comhaltas. Growing up, I spent my weekends at sessions and attended concerts and festivals all over Ireland. Music has always been a huge part of my life, and it eventually led me to study Primary Teaching with Music at St. Mary’s University College Belfast.

“What I love about the fiddle is how it’s so deeply connected to different styles across Ireland, from Donegal, to Clare, to Sliabh Luachra. It’s also used in so many genres, from traditional Irish tunes to country music in Nashville, which shows just how versatile the instrument is. The fiddle allows me to explore and express a wide range of musical traditions, and I’m always learning something new from it.”

Belfast Lord Mayor Cllr Micky Murray, highlighted the importance of the visit.

He said: “I’d like to wish these very talented students a successful, rewarding and fun trip to our Sister City of Nashville. Belfast really values the Sister City relationship we have with Nashville and this year marks 30 years of the two cities working together. Our shared interests in music and heritage are what brought Belfast and Nashville together to forge this partnership and today, it encompasses economic, tourism and of course educational collaborations. This visit will showcase the energetic talent within our city as we seek to strengthen the bond between Belfast as UNESCO City of Music and America’s Music City – Nashville. St Mary’s is renowned for the role that music plays in the college and performing at “Belfast in Nashville” during their St Patrick's Day festivities provides a wonderful opportunity to showcase both the college and the city. These students are the perfect Belfast ambassadors.”

Professor Peter Finn KSG, Principal St Mary’s University College Belfast Commented: “As St Mary’s in Belfast approaches the 125th year of its establishment, I am delighted that the College will once again contribute to the Belfast-Nashville Sister City relationship. We congratulate both cities on the 30th anniversary of collaboration in music and heritage. We trust that our traditional Irish musicians, each one a student teacher, will enhance the St Patrick’s Day festivities. Traditional music facilitates naisce or links in a very special way.”

Sarah Lingo, Executive Director, Sister Cities of Nashville added: “Sister Cities of Nashville is absolutely thrilled to welcome this group of students from St. Mary’s University College as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the amazing bond between our cities! Nashville and Belfast share a deep love for music, and our partnership continues to flourish in so many exciting ways, from economic and tourism collaborations to educational exchanges. We are beyond excited to showcase this incredible musical talent from Belfast, especially as they grace our St. Patrick’s Day festivities with their performances. This is a celebration of friendship, culture, and the vibrant spirit that connects us all.”