Ballymun Lullaby tops the charts

YOUNG musicians and singers from Ballymun are celebrating this week after their CD,

‘Ballymun Lullaby’, hit number 1 in the children’s charts on iTunes.

Children involved in the Ballymun Music Programme produced the CD, which is a musical backdrop to the hugely successful

‘Ballymun Lullaby’ documentary.

Those involved in the project are set to take to the stage at the National Concert Hall on November 26 and the 200 children have been rehearsing hard in advance of the forthcoming show.

Composer of Ballymun Lullaby, Darragh O’Toole, said the children are absolutely thrilled that their CD has hit number 1.

“They’re all very happy. The CDs been wandering in and out of the charts for quite a while, but after the documentary appeared on RTE on Sunday (November 11) its popularity increased.

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Darragh said there are talks in place to get one of the songs from the CD onto mainstream radio stations so it will have a chance of appearing in the main music charts.

“One of the songs is Christmas based. It has that Christmas winter feel to it so we’re hoping to get that on to the radio and into the charts. It’s been picking up a lot of momentum so that’s the next thing we’ll be focusing on.

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Darragh said people could expect to see an extremely powerful show in the National Concert Hall that won’t disappoint.

He said the ground-breaking collaborative performance between children from Ballymun and Cork would culminate in a stunning and unique orchestral performance.

Music teacher Ron Cooney, who has dedicated hundreds of hours to the music programme, has urged Northsiders to attend the show in support of all the children involved.

“This is our first time ever hosting a show in the National Concert Hall. It’s a huge achievement. The first half of the show will feature performances from those involved in various musical productions, and the second part will feature the Ballymun Lullaby.

“The kids need to see as many people as possible on the night as it’s a big place to fill. It’ll be a great show.

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Ron explained that the collaboration with children from Cork has been perfect so far.

“The Ballymun and Cork groups are getting on great. We’ve been teaming up since we formed and getting in as much practice as we possible can in the run up to the show. We’re hoping that any proceeds from the show can be put back into the Ballymun Music Programme, as well as any funds that we can raise from the CD.

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The Ballymun Music Programme was established in 2001 and now has 650 children involved.

The documentary, Ballymun Lullaby, follows the journey of the group who wrote, performed and recorded songs for their first album, which was released in 2009.

In January this year, the documentary was nominated for an IFTA (Irish Film and Television Award).

The nomination provided huge recognition for all the children and teachers involved.

Tickets for the show at National Concert Hall are available to purchase at the box office and online.

The tickets cost

?¬15 for adults and

?¬10 for children. Further booking information can be found online at www.nch.ie.