Outreach Music Project Update

Birmingham Irish • June 24, 2025

A core group has been created with thanks to Jobe Sullivan running our Birmingham Irish Association Outreach Music Project, operating permanently in the Abbey Primary School and Bishop Challoner, as well as many one-off workshops happening across the city.

Various guest teachers, Max Gittings, Dominic O’Sullivan and Vicky Ayers have inspired young minds in both of these establishments, but it is predominantly Jobe Sullivan who heads the ‘curriculum’ for the Birmingham Irish Association.

“It’s been an incredible few years, and, long may it continue” said Jobe. “Music’s always taking a beating - we’re normally the bottom of the national agenda. We get far fewer hours in the week than other subjects. So it’s more important than ever that we support our young people in their learning.

"Bishop Challoner, the Abbey, and Birmingham Irish Association are incredibly supportive, beyond belief, of my vision and endeavours for their young people.

"My vision, through teaching Irish Music, is that the young people have a great grounding in music, know that it is good for mental health as well as a great ‘gateway’ into the wider music and cultural ethos of our world.”

Jobe teaches Mandolin and Tenor Banjo, Bodhran, Piano-Accordion at Bishop Challoner in small groups, and teaches 2 full classes on Tin Whistle and Bodhran every week, as well as running a lunchtime club which encourages piano-accordion.

“What the Birmingham Irish Association has done by investing in instruments and teaching time is incredible, and full kudos to them! We’re also so thankful for the various donations that have come about - the furthest so far arrived from Spain, a pack of Tin Whistles donated by Dave Bardoi, residing there and keeping the Irish Music Tradition alive, who adored the project when he saw a post on Facebook”, said Jobe.

Bishop Challoner has also recently become host to the Birmingham Comhaltas lessons, every Thursday at 7pm, which Jobe finds as a fantastic after-school group for his own students who are learning during school hours with him.

Dr James Coughlan is Principal of Bishop Challoner School. "Bishop Challoner has always championed the creative’s arts, and I'm so proud of what the Birmingham Irish Association have achieved in the school. Jobe integrates and welcomes all our students, and we've even started an informal after school band for teachers! He is an exceptional multi-instrumentalist and most importantly, a gifted teacher.

“The past couple of years have been incredible, playing for the Deputy Ambassador of Ireland, and teaming up with Comhaltas Birmingham to create a piece of music for the Pub Bombings Memorial. To know that our students have performed in front of a member of the royal family, and have been broadcast on the BBC, is such an amazing feeling as a Principal. I couldn't feel more proud of my students, staff and the Birmingham Irish Association.

“Our band also played at St Anne's during parade week for their special St Patrick's dinner as a form of musical giving to the community. We are indebted to Jobe and the Birmingham Irish Association for inspiring so many of our young people and staff to engage in music."

“I work very closely with Jobe on the Outreach Music project and it is just going from strength to strength. Jobe is a true professional in everything he achieves, he will always offer a helping hand where he can to support our organisation.

With Jobe by our side we have achieved so much with my highlight being the Twilight Festival in 2023. That day we completed an all things Irish extravaganza on stage in Centenary Square, it was incredible.

Birmingham Irish are very lucky to have such a talent working with us who puts their heart and soul into the work they do. Thank you Jobe”

Sinead McTernan (Culture, Sports & Heritage Project Officer)

Welcome to another Birmingham Irish Association news update

We publish news and project updates keeping you up to date with details regarding our services and events, as well as other local developments and other news that will be of interest to our clients as well as other visitors.