Once in a generation experience for Hilary on a ‘beautiful day’
Hillary with guitarist, The Edge. The band spent time meeting the members of Music Generation who played with them at the special anniversary concert
A TRANSITION-year student from Presentation de la Salle College, Bagenalstown performed with U2 at the band’s 50th anniversary celebration at Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Dublin.
Violinist Hilary Minchin was among 32 young musicians - one from each county - selected for the performance after being nominated by Music Generation Carlow. U2 is a major contributor to the national programme.
“Mam came into me one morning and I couldn’t tell what she was going to say initially. She just said, ‘Hilary, I have some very unbelievable news for you,’ and told me Gavin Barr, who runs Music Generation Carlow, had rung the day before to say I had been offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Hilary explained.
Because it was a surprise gig, Hilary and her parents were initially told only that she would be performing with “international artists,” prompting speculation about who they might be.
“We did have an idea that it could be U2, but they are just so big that we wondered how on earth it could be them,” she said.
The week before the performance, she travelled to Dublin for a briefing by composer Michael Rooney, who conducted the group.
Michael revealed they would play with U2 at Mount Temple and perform from the band’s 1991 album, .
“I think we were all just taken aback. When we heard it was U2, our reaction was ‘wow’,’’ Hilary said. Rehearsals began immediately before the musicians went to Windmill Lane to record the track with U2 producer Garrett ‘Jacknife’ Lee.
“It was extraordinary; you wouldn’t believe the music that came out of those sounds. I have mostly played trad since I started music at eight and this was more classical, so I learned a lot from it,” she said.
After the concert, social media videos showed the magnitude of the occasion.
“I think I underestimated how big they were globally until I saw the number of videos online afterwards in so many different languages.
“When mam and dad found out, they were so excited, and I was, like, ‘oh my God, what is happening?’ I think it is only really hitting me now,” Hilary said.
“To say I played with U2 and was in Windmill Lane with Michael Rooney and ‘Jacknife’ Lee was amazing. Being picked to represent Carlow was also huge for me; I feel so proud.” Hilary also had her violin signed by Bono and got to meet Adam Clayton, The Edge and Larry Mullen Jr, who, she said, were all so kind and friendly to all the young musicians.
“My sister Vera, who also plays violin, was due to get mine when I got a replacement, but I don’t think that is going to happen anymore,” Hilary laughed.
Hilary thanked everyone who has supported her musical journey, particularly Melanie Butler, with whom she began learning at the age of eight; the communities of Newtown Dunleckney NS and Presentation de la Salle; her parents Patrick and Gillian; Gavin Barr and Paul Brett; and Ana and Rachel at Music Generation Carlow.
