A new orchestral recording celebrating Drogheda’s maritime heritage has been launched at Droichead Arts Centre.
The project brings together the Julianstown Youth Orchestra and singer-songwriter SJ McArdle for a reimagined version of Tidewaiter.
The song forms part of McArdle’s PORT cycle, supported by Drogheda Port Company, and reflects on the life of a customs officer working at the historic Queensborough station.
Young musicians selected the piece and, under directors Lorcan Daly and Maia Matthews with arrangement by Paul O’Brien, developed a full orchestral interpretation.
A companion video, produced by Brian Connolly of Bang Bang Visuals with audio collaborators Breffni Holohan and John Mc Govern, complements the performance.
The launch marked the culmination of months of collaboration between artists, musicians and port partners, with families and supporters attending.
Julianstown Youth Orchestra chair Patricia Hegarty said the evening allowed participants to share the results of their work “in a meaningful and memorable way”.
Drogheda Port Company CEO Paul Fleming said the initiative showed how “business and community through the arts can come together” to reflect local history.
He added the project connects Drogheda’s story to wider port communities through music and narrative.
