Huge Congratulations to Gluais and music teacher Mr Mícheál Kerr on their performances last week in Disneyland Paris. Gluais, a trad band from Scoil Mhuire Secondary School in Trim, Co Meath, were selected to represent Ireland and perform two shows in Disneyland Paris on St Patrick’s Day as part of the Disney Irish Celtic Festival 2022. Crowds of up to 850 people flocked to the theme park theatre as they girls took to the stage. This was a huge honour for the girls and Mr Kerr to be selected to fly the Irish flag in France on St Patrick’s Day weekend. Over the course of their four days in Paris, Gluais also performed a concert at the renowned Marymount International School and had backstage workshops with the Disney production team.
Gluais undoubtedly showcased Irish music and culture at the highest standard, blending their Irish traditional musicians, singers and their troop of Irish dancers together effortlessly on stage. Many commenting on the group’s professionalism, the audience was encapsulated by the powerful vocals of the singers performing a mixture of Irish ballads and sing-along Disney songs, such as “I’ll Tell me Ma”, “Oró Se do Bheatha Abhaile”, “Circle of Life” and “You’ve got a Friend in me”. Indeed, a crowd favourite was “Lord of the Dance”. The musicians’ lively reels and jigs and infectious stage presence paved the way for the line of Irish dancers who meandered across the wooden floor in perfect sync. Of course, the impromptu performances were just as well received and remembered. A video of the Irish dancers dancing at the Eiffel Tower, which was uploaded on their Facebook page, has since been viewed over 77,000 times.
Undoubtedly, Gluais gives the students an excellent opportunity to make new friends outside the classroom and helps them significantly to grow in confidence as a musician and to learn vital team-building skills. Keep an eye out for their upcoming Showcase Concert this May in the Knightsbrook Hotel – it going to be an extra special show this year! You can follow Gluais on Facebook where you can find all their videos and performances. Congratulations once again to the girls on their continued success!
