CBOI History

CBOI links were initially established with the Abbey Christian Brothers Boys Grammar School in Newry, Co. Down. There were approximately 40 boys in the Abbey Orchestra who played mostly Brass and Wind instruments. The St. Louis-Abbey Grammar schools link was very successful and demonstrated the great potential for cross border and cross community cooperation. After writing to 219 Protestant schools in Northern Ireland, two schools agreed to become part of the project. These were Wellington College, Belfast and Banbridge Academy. Links were fraught with many difficulties from logistical problems to parental opposition. However, this only served to highlight the importance of the project and strengthened resolve to keep it moving forward. At this point there were approximately 140 young people in the CBOI.

In 1997, legendary Irish Conductor Gearóid Grant was engaged to work with CBOI and was a key figure in its development over the next 19 years. Through the European Socrates Programme, the CBOI established links with choirs from the Kallio School of Performing Arts in Finland (a third level education institute), and Zakladni Skola, Liberec, Czech Republic, (a first level education institute). Both choral groups visited Ireland for concerts in the Dundalk Institute of Technology and the National Concert Hall, Dublin. 140 members of the CBOI toured to the Czech Republic and Finland, where they gave a key-note performance of ‘Finlandia’ at the Culture Hall, Helsinki.

In 2000, the Departments of Education North and South honoured the CBOI by inviting us to be the focal point of their Millennium project ‘DOORS – Life Long Learning’. The CBOI toured Ireland and performed in all major towns and cities. Schools from all participating towns and cities were also invited to provide acts for these very special concerts. By the end of 2000, links with Wellington College and Banbridge Academy collapsed due in no small way to the huge burden of extra-curricular work and pressure on the teachers involved.

Establishing and fostering cross-border and cross-community links remained the central mission of the CBOI, and in 2001/2002 new links were established with the South Ulster Youth Orchestra and Band. By then there were over 300 young musicians involved in the project. Rehearsals were held in Drumcree and in St. Louis Secondary School, Dundalk. However, St. Louis was a Catholic school and this was seen by many as a reason not to attend rehearsals or be part of the project. Determined that this wouldn’t be a barrier to any young person, the CBOI moved its base to the Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) which offered huge support to the Orchestra and was multi-denominational so no young person would feel it necessary to exclude themselves from the project on grounds of religion. In recognition of our work, the Department of Education sanctioned full time leave for Sharon Treacy-Dunne to manage the CBOI.

At Christmas 2003, the first mini Peace Proms was held at DkIT with choirs from two local Dundalk schools participating. It was conducted by Prionnsias O Duinn, who was then lead conductor with the RTE Concert Orchestra.

The village of Altnaveigh was the scene of a sectarian massacre on 17th June, 1922, when the IRA raided the small unionist community outside Newry, Co. Down. The incident is known in history as the Altnaveigh Massacre. Many Protestant houses were reduced to ashes and five male members of the local Orange Lodge were taken from their beds and shot dead along with one woman. Many others suffered terrible injuries. This event outraged the entire Protestant community of Northern Ireland and still does.

After almost a year of negotiations facilitated by the North South Ministerial Council, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and many influential political figures, strong links were established with Altnaveigh House. The musicians at Altnaveigh House were Bagpipers and Drummers, including Lambeg Drummers. The CBOI commissioned a set of five works for Orchestra, and Drum and Pipe Corps, which highlighted Protestant Culture. These were premiered at Dublin Castle in a special concert hosted by then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern. In 2008 the link with Altnaveigh House ended.

Between 2008 and 2010, the CBOI had a very successful collaboration with the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association of Northern Ireland. Several successful joint performances were held in Dublin and Belfast. In 2010, new links were established with the Colmcille Pipe and Drum Corps, Derry/Londonderry and with the Michelle Johnston School of Highland Dance, Belfast. These links remain strong. The CBOI is now fortunate to have the ability to rehearse in the state-of-the-art facilities provided at Coláiste Chú Chulainn, Dundalk thanks to the generosity of Principal, Tomas Sharkey, and the Louth Meath Education and Training Board.

In 2005 the link with the Southern Education and Library Board in Northern Ireland ended. By now young people who were not in any of the participating schools/ groups were continually requesting membership of the Orchestra. In response, CBOI opened its doors to all young people on the island of Ireland. CBOI’s efforts to foster cross-border and cross-community links continued to be of primary importance, and so in 2006 CBOI sought to establish links with Altnaveigh House, Newry.