Donegal County Council’s Culture Division and the Age Friendly Programme (c/o the Social Inclusion Unit) made a submission to the Creativity in Older Age funding programme, to further a number of actions which will respond to the needs expressed by older people, and highlighted the Donegal Age Friendly Strategy.

A panel of 25 musicians, singers and performers have been selected who will perform in (or as close to a Covid 19 protocals permit) thirteen care homes and community hospitals, between June - October. When asked for their preferences when the idea was first mooted, many care home residents cited a particular fondness for Irish Traditional and for Country music. The panel of performers now includes artists of the caliber of Ciaran Tourish and Dermot Byrne (formerly of Altan), The Henry Girls, Damien McGeehan, (Fidil and the Daniel O’Donnell Band) and acclaimed traditional singers Diane Cannon and Shauna McMullin. The panel also includes many stalwarts of the local North West country, oldtime, jazz and showband scenes.

It is expected that these Care Home presentations will be of the highest professional standards and will be delivered in a warm, informal style to facilitate maximum engagement between performers and audience. An important element of the performances will include audience participation.  

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.