Three people at a piano in the Irish World Academy at UL
Pictured at the Irish World Academy of Dance were Dr Sandra Joyce, Interim Executive Dean Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, UL, Inspector Oliver Nally, Roxboro Road and Anna Banko Szumacher, BA Voice IWA Picture: Alan Place
Monday, 27 June 2022

A student at University of Limerick’s Irish World Academy of Music and Dance will perform at the Limerick concert marking the centenary of the foundation of An Garda Síochána.

The free concert is one of the highlights of the programme of events taking place this year to commemorate the centenary.

The student from the Irish World Academy’s BA in Voice, Anna Szumacher, will perform a selection of songs with the Garda Band at the concert.

A variety of events are taking place across the Limerick Garda division this year, including the concert, which takes place at St Mary’s Cathedral on Friday, July 15.

While the concert will be free, capacity will be limited so it will be live-streamed online.

Inspector Oliver Nally of Roxboro Road Garda Station is co-ordinating the programme of events in Limerick.

He said of the concert: “To celebrate An Garda Síochána’s 100 year anniversary a number of events are taking place across the Limerick Division this year.

“I reached out to Dr Sandra Joyce, director of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at UL, to see if a local artist would like to accompany the Garda Band during the Concert at St Mary’s Cathedral on July 15. We have a long-standing history of collaboration with the University of Limerick and with Professor Shane Kilcommins.

“Dr Joyce very kindly arranged for Anna Szumacher to accompany the Garda Band and we are delighted she will be joining us in this musical celebration and collaboration with the University.”

Professor Shane Kilcommins, incoming Provost and Deputy President at UL and former Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, said: “There is a very strong relationship between the University and An Garda Síochána already with UL accrediting a number of training programmes including, among others, a Postgraduate Diploma in Proceeds of Crime and Asset Identification.

“We are very proud to have one of our students performing at this centenary concert in Limerick and it is fitting as UL marks its own fiftieth anniversary that the institutions continue to foster and develop such strong links and connections,” he added.

Dr Sandra Joyce, outgoing director of the Irish World Academy who has just been appointed as Interim Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, said: “The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance is delighted to support this event commemorating the founding of An Garda Síochána. We are particularly proud that Anna Szumacher, a student on the BA Voice at the Academy, will have the unique opportunity of performing with the Garda band for the celebratory concert.   

“UL has deep connections with An Garda Síochána and this concert is an opportunity to highlight and build on these connections. We wish the organisers every success with their wonderful programme of commemorative events.”

Ms Szumacher, who comes from Krakow, Poland has been living in Limerick for 18 years. Two years ago, she completed the Certificate of Music and Dance at the Irish World Academy with First Class Honours.  

She continues her studies at BA Voice at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance and is an enthusiastic and experienced director and conductor of the Cantate Deo Choir, whose repertoire covers a wide range of Latin, Polish and English choral music. Under Anna’s direction, Cantate Deo took first prize at the prestigious Limerick Choir Festival in 2017.

There is limited availability for members of the public to attend the concert. Anyone who is interested in attending the free event can email henry_street_dv@garda.ie to register interest in attending. A limited number of tickets will then be made available to the public.

It is envisaged that unfortunately not all members of the public that apply will be able to be facilitated, however the concert will be streamed online.