by Joshua Wells
ONE WOMAN’S passion will become a community’s gain following the announcement a traditional Irish band will play at the Old Kilmore Gaol.
Kilmore’s Caroline Killeen is determined to bring Breaking Trad’s ‘World Class Celtic Magic’ to the township in the early New Year.
The unique event was inspired by Ms Killeen’s travel to Ireland where she met a band member’s family years ago, forming a unique bond with the people and the music.
“We met [Breaking Trad’s] Gino Lupari’s family in the north of Ireland and they had told us about him, so we made sure we saw him when he came out to Australia,” she said.
“We all became good friends… and a few years ago my husband and our children went back to Ireland for a family holiday and we went to a Fleadh Cheoil [Translated from Celtic to ‘a festival of music’].
“We fell in love with it all and I just wanted to share it, show my kids the culture of it all, which very much goes with the music… I find it beautiful and I wanted to bring it to Kilmore.”
Ms Killeen contacted the owner of the Old Kilmore Gaol, Jeremy Phillips, and struck up the idea of bringing a bit of Ireland to North Central Victoria.
Mr Phillips said he believed the idea to be a no-brainer for him and wanted to help out.
“I was happy to jump on board, it is a great thing for the town,” he said.
“I think the gaol is one of the best buildings in town and it has been just sitting there… so I am very excited for this performance.
“These are the sort of things lend themselves to arts and culture and I think it would be great to bring here.”
Breaking Trad will bring their unique Irish music to the Old Kilmore Gaol on January 14.
Tickets: $40, kids under 12 free – www.trybooking.com/SXDJ
