Launch of CD to take place on Culture Night in Tipperary

From Out The Land took place exactly one year ago on the site of the former Kickham Barracks. Having closed its gates for the last time as an army barracks in March 2012, the site had been earmarked for urban redevelopment, some of which can already be seen in the new Kickham Plaza. With the Decade of Centenaries drawing to a close, the Arts Council of Ireland funded projects nationwide which commemorated this period through significant arts projects.

One of the banner national ART:2023 projects for the Decade of Centenaries, produced by Clonmel Junction Arts Festival, was From Out The Land.
One of the biggest theatrical spectacles to have taken place in Tipperary, From Out The Land was a story devised from the real life experiences of former army men and women, UN Veterans and members of the Wives and Partners committee who fought tooth-and-nail to keep the barracks open before that final day in 2012. Written by Jack Reardon (Clonmel) and Áine Ryan (Upperchurch), the story expanded across 100 years, from two boys in 1914 joining the British Army ahead of World War One, to 1960’s Ireland and the story of a young Ferry House boy named Declan signing up to the army. It brought us right through to recent history and the Wives and Partners’ valiant efforts to keep the barracks open, to keep the army in Clonmel. With a cast of nationally renowned actors, a creative team of skilled professionals and the history of a town to tell, From Out The Land struck a chord with audiences. Standing ovations were received every night of its performance while tears were visible on the faces of many.
The music of From Out The Land brought a group of Clonmel people into the very centre of telling their story. Written and composed by Kate Twohig (Clonmel), an army of almost 100 local voices sang with incredible passion and pride each night, while creating a huge presence on the expansive outdoor set, adding to the poignancy of what was a truly uniquely Clonmel tale.

Summer 2024 saw the music come back to life, as under the guidance of Twohig once more, the community of singers came back together to rehearse for the soon the be released studio recording of the From Out The Land music. Funded by Tipperary Arts Office, Creative Ireland Tipperary and Clonmel Credit Union the mammoth task of recording the 10 track album, the large numbers of singers, the instrumentalists and soloists, fell to the musical director. Aided by recording and mixing engineer Eoin Barry and the From Out The Land band, the recording took place in two locations. First, the ensemble of singers gathered in the familiar surrounds of the STAC Chapel in late July while the following weekend saw the musicians in a secluded recording studio in the Wicklow forests. Weeks of recording the vocal soloists in a studio locally by producer Eoin Hally as well as further time spent mixing and mastering the tracks, and the CD is finally on its way to being in our hands.

To celebrate this project, Culture Night on Friday 20th September will see the From Out The Land music performed for the last time, as the ensemble launch their album and CD sales, and lay the show to rest in a poignantly fitting location – Kickham Plaza. The historical site, entering its next phase as a widely used public space, will play host to a free open air concert ‘Enter The Night’ which kicks off with the music of last year’s show. The programme that follows is made up of a variety of artists connected to the show, who themselves release and perform original music, including Eve Whelan, The Line, MDR and Vale. Headlining the first-of-its-kind Culture Night Late event in Tipperary is the renowned electronic group HousePlants, fronted by Bellx1’s Paul Noonan and electronic producer Daithí.

“Seeing our ‘FOTL’ ensemble on the same bill as a nationally renowned act like HousePlants is a real testament as to what can happen when the arts are invested in at a local level”, said Kate Twohig. “To have music written and performed by so many local people be now on a physical recording is an incredible achievement for our town. There’s no shortage of talent and passion here, and when it’s supported it can shine. I’m so proud of the community ensemble, and what From Out The Land has done for all of them.”

CD’s are now on pre-sale via the Clonmel Junction Arts Festival website for €10.
‘Enter The Night’ is a Culture Night Late event in partnership between When Next We Meet, Clonmel Junction Arts Festival and Tipperary Arts Office as part of the national day of cultural events on Friday 20th September.