COVID care concert Dungarvan performance

MUSICAL TREAT AT DUNGARVAN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

Residents at Dungarvan Community Hospital were treated to some top class musical entertainment as the ‘Covid Care Concerts’ series paid them a welcome visit. The recital, as a therapeutic intervention arranged in accordance with restrictions applicable at each healthcare facility, was sponsored by Creative Ireland - an all-of-government culture and wellbeing programme that inspires and transforms people, places and communities through creativity - and delivered in a partnership with the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival in conjunction with the HSE/South East Community Healthcare as the care provider.

Special guest at the open air concert on the green in Dungarvan Community Hospital was the Minister for State at the Department of Health for Older People and Mental Health Mary Butler. The minister also took the opportunity to visit the hospital and Dunabbey House residential nursing unit and Springmount mental health services residential centre on site.

The concerts are the brainchild of acclaimed Irish cellist Gerald Peregrine and delivered by ‘The Mobile Music Machine’. Gerard was joined in the line-up for Dungarvan by Carla Vedres on viola, Paul O’Hanlon on violin and singers soprano Sandra Oman and tenor Simon Morgan.

Recital pieces were put in context for the audience of residents and staff, ranging from instrumental pieces to songs such as the Dame Vera Lynn favourite ‘We’ll Meet Again’.

Speaking at the event, Paula French, Director of Nursing, Dungarvan Community Hospital/Dunabbey House, said, “We were delighted to host this recital in Dungarvan. It brings wonderful music and song into the lives of our residents and those often most affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We were pleased that the Minister for Older People Mary Butler TD was here with us to enjoy it. The Mobile Music Machine impressed itself on everyone in Dungarvan.

“We look forward to the joy that was brought to us today being part of a longlasting friendship between such musical initiatives and residents in this and other various other residential healthcare settings.”

ART IN THE COMMUNITY

PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT: Clontarf Hospital CEO Michelle Fanning, NCAD artist Ann Baldrey, and Dr Caroline Madden, Head of Ceramics and Glass at NCAD.

Staff of Clontarf Hospital with CEO Michelle Fanning, Ann Baldrey, and Dr Caroline Madden, NCAD.

Local artist Ann Baldrey unveiled her glass work dedicated to frontline healthcare workers in the reception area of Clontarf Hospital in Dublin recently. She was warmly welcomed by Michelle Fanning, Chief Executive Officer, on behalf of the hospital’s Arts Committee. The piece, entitled ‘Search for a Hero’ was created by Ann as part of her fine art degree with the National College of Art and Design. The inspiration and concept for the piece centres on the need to ‘Search for a Hero’ in the hospital setting. Patients search for the hero inside themselves as they overcome the obstacles of ill health. Nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, social workers, occupational therapists, administration staff, maintenance staff, and support services personnel at the hospital are all heroes. We saw this clearly last year when staff at the hospital showed extraordinary courage to overcome the challenges that COVID-19 brought to our healthcare services. The unveiling at the hospital was attended by Dr Caroline Madden, Head of Ceramics and Glass, National College of Art and Design Dublin, Michelle Fanning, CEO Clontarf Hospital, artist Ann Baldrey, and staff from throughout the hospital.