Pride of place in the club is a magnificent wood carved mural panel, depicting the chief traditional musical instruments, situated at the back of the stage. A must see for any music fan when visiting Down. As far as indie bands go, Down has a rake of them jostling for position, many of 'em benefitting from the exposure that the likes of the indie festival, BelFest , affords them. Sugar Island, Superskin and Audiosynchrisy . For those of a more classical disposition, there's no end of local musical talent to be found across the length and breadth of the county.
Composers are in a particularly fine state of health.
Michael Alcorn is one such composer, with his work focused largely on developing what he calls 'soundscapes', recording all sorts of environmental sounds and then moulding them into a compositional whole. Dr. Cliona Doris is another musician whose classical music career as a concert harpist has seen her travel to the Indiana University School of Music to study with renowned harpist, Susann McDonald. Doris has been the recipient of a veritable string of awards, including the Marisa Robles Harp Prize at the Royal Over-Seas League Music Competition, and the 'Diploma di Merito' at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana, Sienna, Italy. And this is but the tip of the iceberg of Cliona Doris' achievements so far. A fair reflection not only on her own talent, but on the enthusiasm for classical study that pervades the county.