*Eimear Noonan on the fishing bridge at Lough Graney, Co. Clare taken in July 2017 just months before Eimear died in a tragic accident in France in November 2017. Photograph: Brendan O’Leary
A FIFTH and final concert in the Carpe Diem series which honours a late East Clare musician takes place this Saturday in Gort.
Sullivan’s Hotel in Gort hosts the fifth concert of the series which was established in memory of Eimear Noonan. From Caher, Eimear died in November 2017 following an accident in France. She was a teacher and musician.
Director of Coole Music, Katharina Baker and Fiona Buckley had the idea to start the Carpe Diem series as a way of remembering Eimear.
Following the success of sell-out concerts a bursary was formed by the Noonan family and each year the proceeds go to The E.N Music Bursary to support highly talented music students of Music at third level.
To date, a total of twenty five third level students have received the bursary. A number of Music Departments in the secondary schools of South Galway and Clare, Coole Music and Arts , together with comhaltas groups and orchestras in Gort, Kinvara and UCC where Eimear studied have been recipients of support.
Last year, the fund also supported Gort and Flagmount to welcome Ukrainian groups to their localities. During COVID-19, the initiative went online in 2020 when hundreds of singers, musicians and dancers performed online to huge acclaim.
Members of the Noonan family and organizing committee have expressed their gratitude to those who have continued to support the initiative.
Carpe Diem Forever, Let The Music Play on is the title of Saturday’s concert, tickets for which are available online with Eventbrite, or from Sullivans Hotel Gort, Scariff and Gort Credit Unions and a limited amount at the concert door.
