Entertainment

Heritage Angel Awards to raise awareness of Armagh's most historic sites

Heritage in Song Artists (left to right): Tony Villiers, Maria McManus, Brigid O’Neill and Brian Valelly. Picture by Liam McArdle
Heritage in Song Artists (left to right): Tony Villiers, Maria McManus, Brigid O’Neill and Brian Valelly. Picture by Liam McArdle Heritage in Song Artists (left to right): Tony Villiers, Maria McManus, Brigid O’Neill and Brian Valelly. Picture by Liam McArdle

LOCAL artists will raise awareness of Armagh’s most historic sites with the 2019 Heritage Angel Awards on October 29 at Market Place Theatre.

The Heritage in Song project is part of the Heritage Angel Awards and will include performances from project curator Brigid O’Neill, Armagh natives Tony Villiers and Ríoghnach Connolly, as well as The 4 of Us and the Armagh Pipers.

"I am so pleased to be both curating and writing for Heritage in Song – now in its third successful year – and very excited indeed about the incredible line-up of artists for this year in Armagh," said Brigid O’Neill.

"It’s been thrilling to see the idea come to fruition, as writing bespoke songs widens our audience and means we can really bring to life the history and purpose of the buildings and the fascinating stories that they have to tell. And telling stories is what we songwriters do best."

The artists will perform bespoke material on local sites including Armagh Gaol; The Seven Houses and the Cathedrals. Poet Maria McManus will also perform a specially created piece on the Armagh Observatory.

The evening will be hosted by Wendy Austin, with special guest presenters including Joe Mahon and Marie-Louise Muir from the BBC NI Arts Show.

Ulster Architectural Heritage now invites the general public to book a free ticket for a chance to be in the audience and among the first to hear specially made songs about Armagh from top artists, while supporting those from across Northern Ireland who are being recognised on the evening through the Heritage Angel Awards.

Nicola McVeigh, chief executive with Ulster Architectural Heritage said:

"The awards will honour those working tirelessly to record, preserve and maintain Northern Ireland’s historic buildings and places. The Heritage in Song element reframes perspectives on built heritage through the medium of the arts and the exceptional talents of local artists as a platform to celebrate the unique built heritage of Armagh City and stories relating to it.

"The contribution of heritage in song to the event makes the awards ceremony all the more special. We look forward to hearing the songs and poetry that the artists come up with this year."

:: Tickets are now available at www.ulsterarchitecturalheritage.org.uk/events. The Heritage Angel Award Public Vote is also now open, find out more about the Heritage Angel Awards NI Shortlist, vote for your favourite by October 11 at Heritageangelawards-ni.org.uk.