Musicians celebrate awards

TWO Northside youngsters are celebrating after winning awards in a competition run by Dublin Airport. 

Matthew Nolan and Lauren Smyth were crowned Malahide and Swords Young Musicians of the Year respectively. 

Matthew, who lives in Malahide and attends Belvedere College, won the Senior Piano category.

The Malahide Young Musician of the Year competition was open to all young people who live, go to school in, or attend music lessons in the Malahide, Portmarnock and Kinsealy areas.

It is one of the longest standing sponsorship relationships Dublin Airport has with a community event in Fingal. It began in 1981. 

Participants competed in various categories including Brass, Pianoforte, String, Vocal, Woodwind and other instruments. 

The winners of each category then compete for the overall title which is awarded with a €200 bursary and the daa Perpetual Cup.

Oldtown resident Lauren Smyth, a fifth-year student at Dominican College on Griffith Avenue, won her event after performing in the Under 18 Violin category.

The Swords competition celebrated its 30th anniversary this year, and Dublin Airport has sponsored the event since its inception in 1989. It was open to young people who live in the Swords electoral area. 

This year’s event took place at the Carnegie Court Hotel in Swords where the winners from 17 music categories competed for the coveted title. 

Dublin Airport’s Community Liaison Manager Maura Cassidy said: “We are very proud of our longstanding and ongoing contribution to our local communities and these two wonderful events in particular. 

“I want to congratulate all those who took part, especially the winners Matthew and Lauren.”