Derry’s Róise in Nashville for St Patrick’s Day Celebrations

Talented Derry musician and singer, Róise Ní Mhurchú, will be in Nashville, on St Patrick’s Day, bringing the sounds of traditional Irish music to the Tennessee capital.

Róise, who is studying the Bachelors in Education through Irish in St Mary's University College in Belfast, and her friends in the College’s musical group, are visiting Music City USA for the ‘Belfast in Nashville’ festival, which marks the 30-year Sister City partnership between the two cities.  

Speaking to The Derry News before jetting off to the States, Róise said all of the musicians making the trip welcomed the opportunity to share their passion for traditional Irish music.

“Our musical fusion of old and new, Irish and American, is at the heart of our performance,” she added. “And what better place to celebrate our heritage than in Music City, on the most Irish day of the year?”

Róise, who is  in her second year of studies said she was “thoroughly enjoying the course”. 

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“Belfast is bustling with Irish music, song and dance and the Traditional Irish music society in St Mary's is a representation of the vibrant music scene for young people in Belfast. It holds weekly and monthly sessions in bars such as Madden's and The Hatfield. 

“We have also strengthened links with other university societies across Ireland from Derry to Dublin to Cork, she said.

Róise who is also the 'Oifigeach Gaeilge (Irish Officer) of the group never misses a chance to promote the Irish Language. 

“There is great importance in trips like these to showcase the vibrancy of Traditional Irish music, song and language especially in the younger generation,” she said.