Thomas Moore at Bannow House

The commemorative celebration will take place at Bannow House, which was under construction by its owner Thomas Boyse at the time of Moore's visit. The current owners of the house have kindly offered the grand portico of the house overlooking the Saltee islands, as a stage for the event. Moore kept a journal for most of his life and the concert is driven chiefly by extracts from this, read by Nick Dunning in the part of Moore. 

The journal covering his stay in Bannow is often very amusing (Moore had eye for a pretty face) and in the course of the narrative, certain melodies of Mooreís are evoked which will be sung variously by the soprano Aimee Banks, and baritone David Kennedy. They will be accompanied by Rebecca Warren on piano and her husband James on violin. 

Much of Moore's own life and experiences are reflected in his melodies; his marriage to his beloved Bessy (Believe me if all those Endearing Young Charms) and the premature death of all his five children (Tis the last rose of Summer) and his politics, including his friendship with Robert Emmet (Oh Breathe not his Name/She is far from the land) and his rocky relationship with Daniel O'Connell (Oh where's the Slave so Lowly). Other favourites, (Oft in the Stilly night, The Harp that once through Taraís Halls etc.) will feature. 

It will be directed by Heather Hadrill. 

It is a project of the Bannow Historical Society and has been devised and arranged by one of their number, Ian Magahy, who has a keen interest in the history of the area and has written a published study on the lost town of Bannow.