Galway nursing homes will join compatriots across the country in hosting music-themed celebrations to mark Nursing Homes Week 2023 from Monday.
Taking place from August 21 – 27, Nursing Homes Week is the national celebration of nursing home care, celebrating residents and staff in our nursing homes.
This year, music is the theme for the celebrations. Nursing homes will be participating in an online Music Speaks festival.
A highlight will be the broadcast of music performances by nursing home residents.
It will feature renditions of classics such as Danny Boy, Molly Malone, When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, Can’t Help Falling in Love, You Are My Sunshine, Que Sera, Sera, intertwined with performances by residents of different instruments, including piano, accordion, bodhrán.
Music Speaks will also include performances from Mobile Music Machine with Niamh Kavanagh, Sive, Ross Scanlon performs John McCormack, and John Spillane.
Further, performances from the Irish Traditional Music Archive will be opened up to nursing home residents and an online discussion will be hosted discussing the impact of music on nursing home residents.
Tadhg Daly, Nursing Homes Ireland CEO states: “We are thrilled to have brought together a very special and unique Music Speaks festival for nursing home residents and staff to enjoy during the Week of celebration.”
“Nursing homes are home to truly very special people, who are tremendous characters and have a rich legacy in song and music.”
“Music fulfils an absolutely integral role in nursing home care, providing comfort to residents, stimulating memories, bringing them together, and it gives great joy and happiness.”
“The festival we have created is truly unique, bringing residents together for a very special range of performances and events over the course of a week.”
“It will feature outstanding performers who supported nursing home residents during Covid-19, a trip down memory lane for residents via the Irish Traditional Music Archive, and a discussion on the impact of music in our nursing homes.”
