St. Stephen’s Church in Sinkor became a “bridge across the ocean” on March 16, the eve of St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland’s national day.
”Bridge Across the Ocean” was the theme of the concert that brought together the Liberia National Academy of Music, the Liberia Premier Choral Society, and Ireland’s Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for a unique collaboration. The concert, titled “Bridge Across the Ocean,” featured a high-profile collaboration between the Liberia National Academy of Music (LINAM), the Liberia Premier Choral Society (LIPCS), and a visiting delegation from Ireland’s traditional music association, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ).
Celebrating Resilient Traditions
Opening the ceremony, the Irish Ambassador to Liberia, Gerard Considine, delivered a poignant address reflecting on the shared histories of both nations. He noted that for both Ireland and Liberia, music has served as a “beacon of hope and an act of resistance” during times of conflict and hardship.
“Like Liberia, Ireland has a long, rich musical tradition that has survived hunger, oppression, and emigration,” Ambassador Considine remarked. “Traditional music connects us to our history. It helps to pass on identity from one generation to the next without creating barriers between us.”
(From left) Attracta Ní Bhrádaigh, presents a package of 30 tin whistles to Wilmot K. Bobbroh III, Musical Director of LINAM
Virtuosity from the Emerald Isle
The audience was treated to a masterclass in Irish folk arts by three premier performers who traveled from Ireland specifically for the event:
Ademar O’Connor Stones, who dazzled on the accordion and banjo.
Attracta Ní Bhrádaigh, who showcased the soulful versatility of the traditional fiddle and flute.
Amy O’Dwyer, whose rhythmic Irish step dancing brought the church to its feet.
The performance highlighted the unique sounds of Irish instrumentation, including the tin whistle and the fiddle, which are central to the “Céilí” (social dance) traditions of Ireland.
A Gift of Music: The Tin Whistles
In a significant gesture of bilateral friendship, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann presented a gift of thirty Irish tin whistles to the Liberia National Academy of Music. The donation comes as LINAM celebrates its 10th anniversary, symbolizing a commitment to nurturing musical education in Liberia.
Irish ‘tin whistles’ capture, traditional instrument of Ireland
The tin whistle, a six-holed woodwind instrument, is a staple of Irish culture. This gift aims to integrate Irish sounds into the Liberian musical landscape, further strengthening the “bridge” mentioned by the Ambassador.
Understanding St. Patrick’s Day
While the concert took place on the 16th, it served as the official kickoff for St. Patrick’s Day (March 17). Originally a religious feast day honoring the patron saint of Ireland, the holiday has evolved into a global festival of Irish culture.
The History of the Saint
The story of St. Patrick is one of resilience. Born in Roman Britain in the fifth century, he was kidnapped by pirates and enslaved in Ireland as a teenager. After escaping, he returned to the island as a priest to spread Christianity, famously using the three-leaf shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish people.
A Shared Future
As the Liberia National Academy of Music enters its second decade, the collaboration with Irish artists marks a new chapter in Liberian arts. The “Bridge Across the Ocean” proved that despite the thousands of miles of Atlantic waters separating the two nations, harmony is a language that requires no translation.
As Ambassador Considine concluded: “When we share music, we are joined together without erasing our individuality, like a choir of unique voices singing in perfect harmony.”
