The Oriel Traditional Orchestra will perform the world premiere of a new work by Irish composer Dave Flynn on Friday 8 April as part of the Féile Patrick Byrne in the Íontas Theatre, Castleblaney.

Established in 2018, the OTO are an award-winning, intergenerational, cross border community orchestra based in Louth, Armagh and Monaghan. In 2019 they received funding from the Arts Council of Ireland to commission a new work from Flynn and have partnered with Féile Patrick Byrne for the first performance, which will be conducted by the composer.

The concert will feature soloist Fiona Gryson from County Meath on harp. Fiona is an active orchestral and chamber musician who has performed as Principal harpist with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, The Irish Chamber Orchestra, Lyric Orchestra and the Ulster Orchestra since 2017. Highlights include the album recording and broadcast of the first concert performance in over one hundred years of the first Irish language opera, ‘Eithne’ with the RTÉNSO and Irish National Opera (2018).

Named for Patrick Byrne, the last noted exponent in Ireland of the historical Gaelic wire strung harp and the first Irish traditional musician ever photographed, Féile Patrick Byrne has established itself as one of the region’s premier music festivals. This year’s event begins with a performance by well-known Dundalk fiddle player Gerry O’Connor with Breton guitarist Gilles le Bigot, which will be recorded and released as a live album. Leitrim band Garadice featuring Eleanor Shanley (lead vocals), Dave Sheridan (Flute, Accordion and Piano), Padraig McGovern (Uilleann Pipes and Whistles) and John McCartin (Guitar) headline the Saturday night.

Composer Dave Flynn works with some of the world’s best musicians across several genres and his music is acclaimed internationally. His compositions have been performed by ensembles including the Prague Chamber Orchestra, Irish Chamber Orchestra and Crash Ensemble, and he also regularly collaborates with some of the most renowned traditional Irish musicians, these have included Liz Carroll, Paddy Glackin, Tommy Peoples, Mick O’Brien & Máirtín O’Connor. He is the founder of the cross-genre Irish Memory Orchestra and anew, enlarged version of The Vision Symphony involving musicians with visual impairment will be premiered in Galway in April 2022.