Residents at Dungarvan Community Hospital were treated to some top class musical entertainment recently 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 partnership with the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival in conjunction with the HSE/South East Community Healthcare as the care provider.

 Minister's visit

Special guest at the open air concert on the green in Dungarvan Community Hospital was the Minister for State at the Dept. of Health for Older People and Mental Health Mary Butler TD. 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 on Friday 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 they 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 this afternoon.

 

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