St Patrick’s Festival Celebrations Unite Young Musicians Across Monaghan and Belfast
Music Generation Cavan/Monaghan, in partnership with Belfast TradFest, will present a landmark cross-border traditional music collaboration this March as part of St Patrick’s Festival celebrations in Monaghan and Belfast.
The project brings together over 100 young musicians from Cavan, Monaghan and neighbouring border counties to form the Music Generation Cavan/Monaghan Cross Border Youth Folk Orchestra, performing alongside internationally acclaimed traditional musician Michael McGoldrick and his trio.
The performances will feature newly commissioned orchestral arrangements of Michael McGoldrick’s iconic repertoire by Monaghan composer Michael Rooney, blending Irish traditional and classical influences in an ambitious large-scale folk orchestra production.
Two headline performances will take place as part of the St Patrick’s Festival programme:
The Garage Theatre, Monaghan – 15 March 2026 (Sold Out)
Ulster Hall, Belfast – 16 March 2026
The orchestra will bring together 101 young musicians, representing both Irish traditional and classical music backgrounds. Through an intensive rehearsal process, the ensemble will perform together as a large-scale orchestra, celebrating collaboration, creativity and cross-community engagement.
Internationally recognised multi-instrumentalist Michael McGoldrick, a founding member of renowned groups Flook and Lúnasa, will perform with the orchestra, bringing his signature sound to this unique youth-led performance. Arrangements by Michael Rooney add a rich orchestral dimension while remaining deeply rooted in the Irish traditional music tradition.
This collaboration highlights the strength of cross-border partnerships and positions Music Generation Cavan/Monaghan and Belfast TradFest as leading contributors to high-quality youth music-making on the island of Ireland.
The project is supported by Music Generation Cavan/Monaghan, Belfast TradFest, Belfast City Council, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Cavan County Council, Monaghan County Council, and Cavan & Monaghan Education and Training Board.
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