The BMF is delighted to welcome guests to the festival’s opening night concert in the iconic ballroom of Slane Castle. This fairytale setting offers a stunning ambiance to enjoy the world-class music making of BMF Artists.

Overlooking the River Boyne, Slane Castle has been the seat of the Conyngham family since 1703. It is one of the most impressive and historic buildings in Ireland and for the last quarter century music has been a central part of its tradition.

In 1984, the Irish band U2 took up residence at the castle to write and record their album The Unforgettable Fire. Slane is however most known for its open air Rock Concerts, performed in its natural amphitheater with a capacity of 80,000 people. Performers who have headlined Slane concerts since 1981 include The Rolling Stones, U2, Guns N' Roses, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Queen, David Bowie, Neil Young, Bryan Adams, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Robbie Williams, Madonna, and R.E.M.

The BMF is delighted to join the illustrious list of performers associated with this historic location. The evening will feature classical and contemporary music for voice and strings, as well as a reading from this year’s featured festival poet, Jennifer Horgan.

Programme

Emma O'Halloran - Dying is a Wild Night
Rebecca Clarke - Two pieces for viola & cello
Nico Muhly - Stranger for tenor and string quartet
Jennifer Horgan - poetry from her collection, CARE
Felix Mendelssohn - String Octet in E-flat major, Op. 20

Performers

Meesun Hong Coleman, violin
William Coleman, viola
Ed Creedon viola
Jennifer Horgan, poet
Aisling Manning, violin
Julie-Anne Manning, cello
Joshua Stewart, tenor
Liubov Ulybysheva, cello