The Irish Diaspora 2015

The title and the spirit of this project is inspired by the poem “The Bells of St Colman’s” by Bryan MacMahon (1909-1998) in which the poet imagines that for departing exiles the sound of these bells, “Full chiming and rhyming across the bright waters”, becomes a poignant symbol of the homeland and a joyous welcome back on their eventual return – “The bells of St Colman’s are calling me home”. Down through the years, many visitors to Cobh, especially during the summer months, are descendents of those who emigrated through this port, mostly to North America, and have come back to the town on a nostalgic visit. For example, they recount how their grandparents heard the bells as their ship departed while the spire of the Cathedral was their Last Glimpse of Erin. Stories of the town's emigration history also live on in many local families, having been handed down from generation to generation. On Sunday afternoons from July through to September, hour-long recitals at 4.30 of appropriate music played on the Cobh Cathedral Carillon are being presented by the resident carillonneur, Adrian Gebruers, as well as special recitals on American Independence Day (4 July) and Cobh's special Australia Day (14 July). There will also be guest recitals by Treasa Edmonds who hails from Tipperary (7 June & 20 September) as well as by leading international carillonneurs Rien Donkersloot from The Netherlands (9 August) and Philippe Beullens from Belgium (30 August), emphasising the modern Irish diaspora throughout the European Union, and Joey Brink from the USA (23 August) who like so many of his compatriots can boast Irish blood in his ancestry.

Image courtesy of Cunard Line