WATCH: Special musical piece written in memory of Ashling

A musical piece written by a member of Tramore Tradcestra in tribute to Ashling Murphy was recently performed at a concert in Waterford.

‘Ashling’s Waltz’ was written by Tradchestra composer Rebecca McCarty-Kent in memory of the primary school teacher to commemorate her first anniversary. The tribute concert was held on Sunday, January 15 at O’Shea’s Hotel in Tramore and the musical suite was performed by the Tradchestra Advanced Ensemble.

Speaking about the special performance, Rebecca’s mother and Director of Tradchestra Aine said: “It was a very special event and I’m glad we did it. What had happened to her had happened to so many, especially women. We wanted to mark it for the family. As a tune it’ll stay alive. People will play it and that will keep Ashling alive for the family.”

“It was inspired by Ashling. It was about having something tangible for the family they would have forever.”

Aine continued: “The room was traumatised when they heard the music and I was really surprised at that and really glad that what has happened has not been forgotten.

“Ashling Murphy has not been forgotten and she is representative of so many other families that have lost a young person through no fault of their own. It has definitely reached peoples’ hearts.”

Aine also spoke about the personal relationship her family had with Ashling.

Her youngest daughter Jana was good friends with Ashling. Aine explained: “Jana and Ashling would have been in Meitheal so they’d been going there since about the age of eleven or twelve. They would have met at all the Fleadhs together. That was her (Jana’s) Fleadh buddy."

Ashling’s sister Amy and Rebecca were also quite close growing up and played in the National Folk Orchestra together.

According to Aine, the Irish music scene is a family. “I had two traumatised daughters (when Ashling passed away.) They’re the same age. That would have affected everyone. Maybe, it’s brought awareness to women in particular not to be on your own, day or night because it’s not safe. Unfortunately, that’s the society we are now living in.”

The whole McCarty-Kent family play on the musical piece with Aine playing the harp.

Tramore Tradchestra also held a raffle at the concert with the proceeds going to the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund.

In a post on the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund Facebook page, Ashling’s family shared the performance video of Ashling’s Waltz saying: “A beautiful tribute performed by Tramore Tradchestra Advanced Ensemble in memory of Ashling Murphy. Thank you for your thoughtful gesture and generous donation."

The beautiful performance can be viewed on the Tramore Tradchestra Facebook page.

Tradchestra was first established in 2015 in Tramore, Co Waterford, by the McCarthy-Kent family, directed by Áine, assisted by Jana and musically directed and composed by Rebecca. Their style of music crosses over various genres most especially Traditional Irish Music and Classical music.