Team leaders from all the schools that participated in Beofast with Charlotte Dryden from the Oh Yeah Centre and Mo and Kris from More Than Conquerors. Photo by Carrie Davenport, Kerrang magazine
Donegal students rocked at a historic ‘Beo’ concert in Belfast last week.
The concert was the first time that Transition Year students from five Donegal schools joined up with Belfast students for a series of talks in the Oh Yeah Centre of Belfast – a recording and performance venue co-founded by Snow Patrol singer Gary Lightbody.
Last Friday, January 17, students from Colaiste Ailigh, St. Eunan’s College, Loreto Convent, Deele College and Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair heard talks from Charlotte Dryden and Linda Ervine about the Oh Yeah Centre and the Irish language in Northern Ireland, most interestingly among the Protestant community.
Linda Ervine speaking to the students in the Oh Yeah Centre, Belfast. Photo by Carrie Davenport, Kerrang magazine
Students saw on the day how the strength of the Irish language can bring a divided community together. Through Beo music sessions, the Irish language is promoted to teenagers from both sides of the border.
Friday’s adventure was brought to a close with a show in the Oh Yeah Centre featuring Letterkenny indie band ‘Apollo Six’, singer Callum Stewart and local Belfast band ‘More Than Conquerors’.
Apollo Six, comprised of students from St. Eunan’s College and Loreto Convent, got a great reaction from the enthusiastic Donegal crowd.
Students are already looking forward to the next Beo gig and the six other Beo concerts held last Friday, including those in Stranorlar and Dungloe, show that the project is rocking the socks off Transition Year’s all over Ireland.
by Rachel McLaughlin