Ballybeg House

Music at Ballybeg

Colette Delahunt: Soprano

After graduating from DIT, Colette was awarded a scholarship to Trinity College of Music, London where she completed her studies. Colette worked internationally as a soloist with many opera companies including, English National Opera, Glyndebourne Opera, Aix en Provence and Royal Opera, Covent Garden. Also at home with Lyric Opera, Opera Ireland and Opera Theatre Company. She has been the recipient of many awards and prizes including the Gervase Elwes Award, Young Glyndebourne Artist, BBC Recording Artist, Margaret Burke Sheridan and many more.
Now living in Ireland Colette continues to perform on the concert platform with RTE and the National Concert Hall, she also has a significant career organising and performing at weddings and services throughout the country.
Colette has vast experience in the setting of wedding selections, in co-ordinating with other musicians and providing an elite standard of music for each couple on their wedding day. Through consultation Colette will guide each couple in making their music selection, in choosing instrumentation and making sure that everything runs smoothly on their special day.
Contact Colette on +353 (0)86 8244700 or
colettedelahunt@eircom.net

Slovak Dulcimer Ensemble

This Dublin-based four-piece Slovakian ensemble plays swell gypsy tunes. Perfect music for reception time, and it suits Ballybeg house. Highly recommended!
Contact: Andrej Zahorec on +353 (0)85 743 6869.

Jennifer Rochford, Soprano

Jennifer has been singing from a very early age and was privileged in 1995 to be accepted as a Chorister in the Christ Church Cathedral Girls Choir. The Choir performed weekly in the Cathedral and also visited many Cathedrals throughout Ireland including a trip to Belgium and several appearances on R.T.E. television. On graduating from the Girls Choir she was presented with the 'Dean's Chorister Award' by The Very Rev. John Patterson.
Jennifer has been a pupil of Ms. Patricia Mc Carry in the Bray Music School for many years, and has competed and been a prizewinner in many major competitions throughout Ireland including Feis Ceoil. Just recently, Jennifer performed in a leading role in the Opera 'Dido and Aeneas' at the Mermaid Theatre, Bray.
Jennifer is currently a member of the Bray Holy Redeemer Church Choir and will be travelling to Vienna in April 2006 to perform in several Churches and Cathedrals.

Repertoire for Weddings:
Pie Jesu
Ave Maria
Panis Angelicus
Psalm 23
Responses
O Perfect Love
Ag Criost an Siol
Prayer Perfect
Perhaps Love
And many more.

Would you like to enhance your church or blessing ceremony? We can recommend the voice of Jennifer.
Contact: +353 (0)86 404 0412.

The Kernie Quartet

This Wicklow-based quartet plays a varied repertoire, from Bach to The Beatles.
Contact: Lioba Petrie on +353 (0)1 281 8281 or
+353 (0)86 844 2359, or
email: stellabass@eircom.net

Russel Smith (The Swing Cats)

The swing Cats are the ideal band for your wedding entertainment. Some light instrumental Jazz to ease you out of the meal, then on to an evening of dance and entertainment. Our list is varied and of course special additions and requests can always be accommodated. The Swing Cats are available for wedding parties and have vast experience in this area, you can expect the highest quality entertainment delivered to you in the utmost professional manner.
Contact: Russel Smyth at +353 (0)86 3074499 or
email: info@russellsmyth.com
www.russellsmyth.com

O'Mambo

Emilio and Sofia Arteaga will take you on a South American trip. These two South American musicians play and sing authentic folklore and pop music. Perfect music for the reception, dinner or dancing.
Contact: Emilio on +353 (0)1 239 0709.

Mangeira

An eight-piece Dublin-based band that plays the very best mix of Latin music. Mangeira can guarantee a night of infectious grooves with a real latino feel.
Contact: Paul on +353 (0)87 987 1157.

Get A Grip

A real four-piece wedding band! Each member of Get A Grip has between ten and 20 years experience in the music business and covers a wide range of music from numerous well known artists like Billy Joel, The Monkies, The Beatles, etc.
Contact: Diarmaid on +353 (0)87 637 9125.

Sabor Cubano

This Cuban experience is hard to resist. If you like the Buena Vista Social Club, then this is the band for your wedding! Dancing guaranteed!
Contact: Danillo on +353 (0)1 496 9771 or +353 (0)87 7712936.

Swing & Co

Swing & Co was originally formed by French guitarist Guillaume Lelung and Irish trumpeter Brian Duggan. It was joined shortly after by Slovakians: violinist Andrej Zahorec and double bassist Lubomir Taliga. The group combine the elements of gypsy jazz, most notably the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, and those of Dixieland “hot” swing jazz.
The group offer an original interpretation of this music, drawing from their respective and differing musical backgrounds. The type of music performed by the group varies in style from that of lively, “hot” swing to gentle jazz ballads. Capable of creating a mood ranging from that of a vibrant dance atmosphere to a relaxed pleasant environment, this makes the group highly adaptable for performance at any type of function, such as weddings, corporate events or private parties.
Contact: Guillaume on +353 (0)85 7434711 or
email: swingandco@gmail.com
www.swingandco.com

DJ Nigel Woods

DJ Nigel Wood provides celebratory wedding sounds for the musically-discerning couple. A World Music specialist both on the radio and in the clubs, Nigel can whip Salsa, Calypso, Ska, Funk and many other styles, plus Golden Oldies, into a Festive Feast. Tell him your preferences and see what he can do.
Contact: Nigel on +353 (0)87 7863668.

Digital DJs

Digital DJs are a Dublin based company with a nationwide network of over seventy experienced professional DJs. They have a huge music collection and are happy to play requests. Further more, they liaise closely with you to discuss arrangements and to ensure that we are fully prepared for
the event.
Contact Darragh Jones on +353 (0)1 6291555 or
email: info@digitaldjs.ie
www.digitaldjs.ie

Melimage

A live projection performance. This virtual sound and light show will project images onto the trees in Ballybeg garden and they will melt into a performance where the viewer is not sure what is real and what is virtual. This show has been a big hit at Ballybeg and is a great way to surprise your guests.
Contact: Emilio Arteaga on +353 (0)1 239 0709.
See his website for a sample of part of the show: www.melimage.com

Class Act Promotions

Class Act promotions present Manila Strings, an exceptional and heart-warming trio originally from Thailand. Performing all the way from the church to the reception to the dinner, whether as background music or the main act, they can play literally any song from Astrude Gilberto to Queen, at the request of your guest! Manila Strings have been an incredible success at Ballybeg, entertaining everyone through the house and gardens, and visiting tables throughout dinner. They promise to leave your guests raving for weeks to follow!
Contact: +353 (0)87 2409405 or
email: amos@classactpromotions.ie

Goodfellas

Between them they have played at one time or another with many household names, including Bob Geldof, Jerry-Lee Lewis, Westlife, Marianne Faithful, Roger Whittaker, Shane McGowan and home-grown stars like Paddy Cole, Dickie Rock, Linda Martin, Johnny Logan, The Rat Pack, Brendan Bowyer, Red Hurley, Rob Strong, Simon Casey, Chris Doran…the list goes on but any more name-dropping would be crass!!! After years providing professional backing for other artists they decided to form a band of their own. The music is completely live - something they feel VERY strongly about - no backing tracks, sequencers or drum machines are welcome at a GoodFellas event. No tricks, no tracks - just LIVE music.
Contact: Steve on +353 (0)86 8537070.
www.goodfellas-band.com

Dublin Gospel Choir

Not too many Irish acts, let alone international ones, can boast of sharing the stage with music industry heavyweights such as Rod Stewart, John Legend, James Brown, Damien Rice, and The Chieftains. But that is exactly what the Dublin Gospel Choir has achieved over the last few years.
From their modest beginnings as a local school choir in Dublin’s inner city 12 years ago, they have become a household name in Ireland, playing a host of concerts each year, plus a large number of corporate and charity events. Add to that their annual slot at Ireland’s internationally-acclaimed boutique festival Electric Picnic (at which they played on the Main Stage again in 2008) and a performance in front of 82,000 people at Croke Park in 2007, and you have a group of people who are really going places.
The choir also featured along with Chris de Burgh on a special BBC Songs of Praise programme which was broadcast to over 35million viewers worldwide. Whereas the religious audience is one target market for them, the Dublin Gospel Choir seems to have broad appeal. They collaborated with well-known Irish singer Paddy Casey for Today FM’s Even Better than the Real Thing CD and went on to tour with Paddy. This won them a much younger audience and one that remains a large part of their audience at shows right across Ireland. They were also invited by Rod Stewart to join him for two great nights at the RDS in Summer 07.
Apart from their Autumn/Winter Tour 08, the choir are currently working on material for their next studio album (scheduled for release in the first half of 2009) and will be releasing a single in October 08, as part of the Electric Picnic
5-Year Anniversary Album.
So it’s business as usual for one of Ireland’s foremost
touring groups!
www.dublingospelchoir.com

Mia Parsons

Mia has a beautiful and very versatile voice and sings in various styles. Her repetoire covers many genres. From Ave Maria to Mercy by Duffy, Nina Simone to Leonard Cohen, Jobim to Etta James and the list goes on... Mia will put a package together for your special day, voice and guitar for the church ceremony or vows, then a light background jazz trio for the drinks reception, and then if you want the guests to dance the night away Mia will put a band together tailored just for you. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Contact: Maria on +353 (0)87 1904761.

Aisling the Pianist

The Ballybeg Pianist Aisling is a professional pianist and will enlighten your reception with the perfect atmosphere. She has an extensive repertoire and is a locally-based musician, playing for you on request. Her music is delicate yet lively and she compliments the Ballybeg atmosphere perfectly.
Contact: +353 (0)86 3801446.

The Rattle Shakes

Soul, funk, Jazz and Pop!
Contact: Ann on +353 (0)87 9849252.
Email: ann.harrie@gmail.com

The Maynooth Gospel Choir

The Maynooth Gospel Choir has been entertaining Ireland since 2003. One of Ireland’s most exciting vocal harmony groups, the choir is perfectly equipped for any event. From beautiful ballads to high energy Gospel songs the range of the choir cannot be underestimated. Fresh from a hugely successful tour with Jack L, the choir are going from strength to strength.

For further information contact: Michael 087 9444810,
Email: info@maynoothgospel.com or just visit our website: www.maynoothgospel.com

Madeleine Doherty - Celtic Harpist/Singer

Madeleine has played at wedding ceremonies and receptions a few times now and we very much like hearing her beautifull harp sound and angelic voice at Ballybeg. Her music and singing would be the perfect complement to a church ceremony.

Madeleine is a professional harpist/singer based in County Wicklow. She plays both Celtic and electro-acoustic concert harps. Madeleine performs at sacred ceremonies including weddings. She is available for corporate events and charity functions as a solo harpist/singer or in a duo with a percussionist. You can see video clips of her work on her website: www.madeleinedoherty.ie

Madeleine regularly plays at festivals and shows across Europe. She has toured worldwide including the US, and the Caribbean, bringing her unique style of composition, combined with loving energy to audiences of all ages. Her latest Irish project is an initiative called “Harps for Healing” which brings harpists in to hospitals to play for patients.

For further information contact:
Madeleine: +353 (0)86 2350878 or
Email: info@madeleinedoherty.ie