Expressway and Macalla 1916 - Celebrating the Centenary of the Easter Rising

Bus Éireann’s Expressway service is delighted to continue our association with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, and this year extend our support to the Macalla 2016 programme of events. Our sponsorship of the centenary concert tour is an integral part of our involvement in Irish culture, and our commitment to communities promoting local events.

Expressway are proud to transport a full orchestra of musicians to cities and towns across Ireland in our specially commissioned Macalla 2016 coach, as they commemorate Easter 1916 - as a seminal event in our history - through traditional Irish song, dance and music.

The performers launched their tour in the RDS last weekend at special event for the 4,000 relatives of those who lost their lives in the Rising – which was attended by President Michael D Higgnins and An Taoiseach Enda Kenny - and have since played to audiences at Wexford Opera House and Cork City Hall. Their tour continues this week up until April 3 next, to the Lime Tree Theatre in Limerick and Garage Theatre in Monaghan, and onto the Knock Arena in Sligo and Millennium Forum in Derry.

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann – which translates to "Society of the Musicians of Ireland - is the primary Irish organisation dedicated to the promotion of the music, song, dance and language of Ireland. The organisation was founded in 1951 and has promoted Irish music and culture among the Irish people and the diaspora. It has more than 400 branches worldwide, in Ireland, Britain, the United States, Canada, Mexico, France, Spain, Germany, Hungary, Russia, Australia and New Zealand.

Expressway Product Manager Seán Forde said the company have sponsored the Comhaltas annual national tour for the last several years, providing a specially wrapped coach and Bus Éireann driver, for its duration.

“It is a great association, with two Irish organisations promoting the values of culture, community, and connections across our island and abroad. We are delighted to see the success of the Macalla 1916 tour, and are proud to transport the orchestra in this specially designed Easter Rising centenary wrapped coach.”

Wednesday, 30th March, 2016