The Ulster Orchestra, now settled into its new home at the recently renovated Townsend Presbyterian Church, is reviving the rich history of Townsend Street in Belfast through the power of music. Once a lively part of the city, Townsend Street, which links the predominantly Catholic lower Falls and Protestant lower Shankill, has seen significant changes over the years, especially after the construction of the Westlink. The orchestra, working in collaboration with local women, is using their childhood memories to create a unique musical piece that tells the story of the street’s past, present, and future.
For months, the orchestra has partnered with the Townsend Street Enterprise Park and Zeppo Arts, holding consultations to gather memories from the community. These memories have been turned into musical compositions that reflect the heartbeat of the area, incorporating sounds and feelings from different generations.
Bringing the Community Together Through Music
As part of the project, the Ulster Orchestra engaged with local women from the Young@Heart group, including Ella, Catherine, and Georgina, who all spent their childhoods in the area. During a consultation session at St Stephen’s Church in May, they shared fond memories of life on Townsend Street. The group reflected on everyday sounds like the familiar call of mothers shouting to their children, “Hannah, your supper is ready!” These simple moments of nostalgia became the foundation for the music.
Over tea and biscuits, the women also reminisced about singing traditional songs like “Queen of the May,” even performing an impromptu rendition. Ella expressed her amazement at how different life was back then, and how sharing those memories brought back strong feelings of nostalgia. All these memories were recorded and handed over to composer Una Monaghan, who was tasked with transforming them into music.
Crafting the Musical Piece
Una Monaghan, who had been focused on smaller ensemble pieces in recent years, took on the challenge of creating a composition that would reflect both the liveliness and the sense of loss that had defined Townsend Street over time. Her aim was to capture the energy of the street and the tight-knit community that once thrived there, while also acknowledging the changes that have taken place.
Una’s piece was brought to life with rehearsals at the newly renovated church in August, along with additional compositions by Rory Friers and Jamie Thompson for the same event. According to Patrick McCarthy, artistic director and deputy of the Ulster Orchestra, the move to Townsend Street symbolises more than just a new rehearsal space—it represents a key step in the area’s regeneration.
McCarthy believes that the orchestra’s presence will play a pivotal role in reuniting the lower Falls and lower Shankill communities. As music fills the historic church, it is hoped that the project will spark a sense of renewal and help residents reconnect with the vibrant past of Townsend Street.
