merrion street

Tuesday 19th November 2013: Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, will this evening launch (6 p.m.) The Artane School of Music Strategic Plan 2013 - 2016 in Croke Park.

This Strategic Plan aims to provide a roadmap of the way forward for Artane School of Music. The plan provides a clear direction for the management and the staff as to the agreed priorities for the school of music and band over the next three years. From 1998 the Artane Boys Band evolved to become the Artane School of Music and increased the range of musical opportunities available to both boys and girls. 2002 saw the first intake of girls into the band itself, and just two years later, on Sunday October 17th saw the first ever performance of the renamed Artane Band, including 19 girls at the International Rules Match in Croke Park.

In his address, Minister Deenihan commented:

"Since the Artane Boys Band was founded in 1872 by Brother Alphonsus Hoope, benchmarks for excellence in musicianship have been set, and regularly exceeded. Their renowned association with the GAA , forged in 1886, is as relevant today as it was almost 130 years ago.”

"While a strategic plan, by its very nature is forward looking, we must celebrate the historical, cultural and social impact that the Artane Band, and laterally the Artane School of Music, has made, not only in its hinterland of North Dublin, but countrywide and indeed internationally, including an album cover of Australian band INXS, and an appearance with U2 on the video for “The Sweetest Thing”.”