Music for Galway has been awarded €28,000 in funding from the second annual AIB Community €1 Million Fund.
The city based non-profit was one of the six most nominated charities this year, out of more than 16,000 nominations received.
Music for Galway is using this money for a very special project as part of Cellissimo, a nine day international cello festival in Galway City and County next May.
It is a collaboration with the children’s theatre company Branar. Together they will visit schools and talk about HOME, what it looks, sounds, feels like, where it is for them etc.
The children’s reactions will be gathered and used to create a new piece of theatre. This takes its inspiration from the Galway Cello, a cello that was built mainly with timbers from east Galway, but that also includes timbers from Germany and Africa.
All of these timbers have found a new home in the Galway Cello, and have produced an extraordinary instrument that is not only beautiful but also sounds great. This new theatre piece will be premiered during Cellissimo.
Speaking about receipt of the award, Music for Galway CEO Anna Lardi said they were happy to receive this funding from the AIB Community Fund, and indicated how important it would be for their project.
She said that the funding will be, “Vital for us to produce this project in collaboration with Branar, a project that has inclusion as its heart, a topic that badly needs to be addressed at present.”
“We have seen first-hand the difference this funding has had on local organisations who received support last year.”
“The fact that the public nominated us makes it particularly special because it means that the work we are doing in the community is being recognised, and we are making a difference.”
“I want to thank everyone who is involved in Music for Galway and a particular thank you to AIB for establishing this hugely beneficial fund.”
Earlier this year, AIB asked its customers, the wider public, and colleagues to nominate charities which connect with causes that matter most to them and their communities, for the AIB Community €1 Million Fund.
Over 16,000 nominations were received highlighting the immediate support needed for charities across Ireland.
Following the inaugural launch in 2022, the AIB Community €1 Million Fund has already donated to over 70 national and local charities including Dogs for the Disabled, Irish Cancer Society, Aoibheann’s Pink Tie and Dyslexia Association of Ireland.
Speaking about the Fund, AIB Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, Mary Whitelaw said: “Along with our core community partners and programmes the AIB Community €1 Million Fund enables us to further deepen our contribution to society.”
“The nominations were made by our colleagues, customers and the public based on the causes and charities they connect with and that matter most to them.”
“Our hope is that this funding will help make a real difference to the most vulnerable in our communities, and to those who are working tirelessly for their benefit.’’
