​GIVEN their close geographical locations, there have been important links between Wales and Ireland going back centuries.

 

Myles Pepper, driving force behind Cwmni Mara CIC, the performing arts company seeking to cement stronger artistic ties across the Irish Sea, feels their mission is even more important given the upheaval caused by Brexit.

 

Wales and Ireland have had business and friendship links since time immemorial,” he explains. “I was so disheartened when Brexit came in because our respective nations have so much in common.

 

“Ireland are a nation of survivors. The Irish have intense pride in their nation and celebrate it outwardly. One objective of Cwmni Mara is to help identify and better promote Welsh cultural strength as well.

 

“Yet the central aim is enabling people to have a greater knowledge and understanding of their place and to celebrate and share it with others.

 

“What I hope for is that in three to five years there will be newly-commissioned works celebrating maritime tales, discoveries along both the west coast of Wales and south-eastern Ireland.

 

“These will be music-led, some with lyrics and others supported by film-related visuals.”

 

“So, we are actively looking for people with strong connections with the Irish Sea – whatever commission comes up will be about the maritime history of that particular coastal area.”

 

Already an array of concerts are being organised for the coming months. In June, ‘The Curlew’, a song cycle with lyrics by renowned poet and author Jon Gower, will be performed by pianist David Pepper at St Nicholas Hall on the last Friday of the month, June 28th

 

“Each performance of ‘The Curlew’ will be tailored to the particular area where it is being held,” says Myles, “and will be accompanied by walks and talks centred around the habitat of the curlew, Holy wells, Ogham letters in local churches, etcetera.”

 

Fast forward to late October and a three-day festival at St David’s Cathedral and Fishguard will premiere a number of new works – one featuring lyrics by poet and novelist Grahame Davies set to music by Paul Mealor, and performed by Newcastle Emlyn-based Ysgol Gerdd Ceredigion under the direction of Islwyn Evans.

 

The festival will also feature a host of new commissions, including musical contributions from Ireland.

 

These include The Fishguard Suite, a series of works by the late Waterford composer Eric Sweeney inspired by Strumble Head, St Brynach’s Church in Nevern, Pentre Ifan Carn Ingli, Carn Ffoi and Strumble Head lighthouse.

 

Looking further ahead, community choirs including Côr Abergwaun will have a central role in a major concert at Ysgol Bro Gwaun in June 2025 when Simffoni Mara-commissioned pieces will be performed by Danescastle School of Music from the southern Wexford village of Carrig on Bannow.

 

Having been premiered in Fishguard last summer,’ Tides of Thought’, a piece commissioned for Caernarfon-based jazz pianist Huw Warren, is having its North Wales premiere in 2025. 

 

Nearer home, creatives including David Pepper and Jon Gower will be working closely with Ysgol Bro Gwaun (“An essential part of our development team plans”) with particular focus on the art of lyric writing and music 

composition.

 

Of course, support – both financial and general – is vital to ensure the continuity of such an ambitious project and Simffoni Mara, whose performed works are 50 per cent Welsh, 40 per cent English and 10 per cent Gaelic, has already received funding from Ty Cerdd, in Cardiff, Pembrokeshire County Council and Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council as well as private support and sponsorship.

 

The intention is to take Simffoni Mara ‘out on the road’ and organise performances in some of the less-travelled parts of south-west Wales.

 

“We believe that village halls should be as important as the more ornate halls found in urban centres,” says Myles. “There should be no boundaries to our reach.”

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