Brú Ború for China

By Seán Hill

The Brú Ború performing troupe are preparing for the trip of a lifetime. They have received an official invitation to bring their internationally renowned show to China. This was announced by the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland Mr Zheng Jinjong when he attended a performance at the Brú Ború cultural centre on Saturday, July 11. It is understood that this is the first such official invitation of its kind ever extended to an Irish arts group and Brú Ború, representing Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann, will do Ireland proud.

Present at the announcement were ClIr Michael Mclnerney, UDC Chairman; Minister Noel Davern, TD; Senator Des Hanafin; Mr Kieran O’Brien, Co. Development Officer; Mr Michael Anglim, Co. Council Chairman.

The 22-strong troupe will travel to China in October at the close of their Summer season in Cashel. Their first stop will be Beijing and from there they will travel to Changsha.

The Brian Ború show has earned worldwide acclamation having performed on major tv networks in the United States, Australia, France, Germany, Spain and Japan. They represented Ireland at Expo in Japan and again at Expo in Spain. When they performed on Australian tv for 10 m viewers the station received 180,000 calls and the performance was repeated within one week. The Brú Ború production concept involving top-class traditional material and a lively, innovative style of presentation has for several years been winning plaudits from the thousands from all over the world who have seen the show at the foot of the Rock of Cashel. The Brú Ború show was the forerunner of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance and many credit the Cashel- based troupe with greatly influencing the new developments in this form of traditional entertainment.

Recently appointed member of the Arts Council Una O Murchú, who is Director of Brú Ború, said of the latest honour bestowed on the troupe: ‘It is a great honour to receive this official invitation from China for which I thank the Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Zheng Jinjong. It is a tribute and recognition not only to the artistry of Brú Ború but to all those who promoted our unique cultural heritage down through the years. We look forward to again representing Ireland on the international stage.’

Brú Ború have proved themselves to be wonderful cultural ambassadors for Tipperary and Ireland. They have brought the name and fame of Cashel and Comhaltas to the four corners of the earth. As recent Bord Fáilte statistics show, Brú Ború now ranks among the foremost tourist attractions in the country.