Consultation with these local communities was central to the realisation of the event, with each of the four songs co-created with schools, youth groups, residents and other community groups.
The songs were performed by Kings Hospital School Choir, Cór na nÓg, Guinness Choir and Maryfield College Choir; all Sing Ireland affiliate choirs.
Sing a Song of Docklands was the vision of, and curated by, internationally acclaimed conductor David Brophy. MD David Hayes directed on the night, and guest acts Jerry Fish, DJ Robbie Kitt and Ciaran Kelly were in attendance. It was very much a celebration of the stories and communities of the Docklands, an area encompassing Ringsend, Irishtown, City Quay and the Grand Canal Docks on the south side, and Sheriff Street, North Wall and East Wall on the north side.
Declan Byrne, a former dockworker
"“It’s so different to what I normally do. I’m trying to get a message, a positive message across. That’s what I’m about.” "
Carmel Whelan, composer and vocalist.
"“Nobody wants to be forgotten. It’s about being seen. It’s about representation. We want it to be a lasting monument so that it is not just another thing that is forgotten.” "
One of the composers involved, Carmel Whelan, says she wanted the workshop to veer beyond the well-established portrait of this bit of Dublin’s inner city. “There’s a lot of solidarity […] in an area that is changing, it’s important to tell stories. Nobody wants to be forgotten. It’s about being seen. It’s about representation.”
The songs written and performed were:
- The Point of the Tide by Max Greenwood for the Ringsend and Irishtown area
- The Boat People of Grand Canal Dock by Alain Servant for the Grand Canal and Pearse Street area
- The River Carries Us Home by Carmel Whelan and Justine Nantale for the North Wall Sheriff Street area
- The Dockside Man by Macdara Yeates for the East Wall area
