Bressie offers place to escape with Multyfarnham Friary gig

Regan Kelly

Musician, author, mindfulness teacher, Niall (Bressie) Breslin, will perform at Multyfarnham Friary this autumn in a gig presented by The Chambers bar, to celebrate the release of his new album, ‘The Place That’s Never Been Wounded’.

Multyfarnham Friary is one of the most tranquil places in Westmeath, and was founded in 1268, making it one of the most historical places as well.

Bressie calls the work “an ambient piano album”, containing a string quartet and a grand piano, making the tranquil and spiritual nature of Multyfarnham Friary a perfect venue to celebrate its launch.

“I’ve always loved the Friary in Multy, it sounds beautiful in there and I just love the idea of being able to play there,” Niall told the Westmeath Examiner.

Noting the relationship between the venue and the musical style of his new album, he added “Thankfully, it’s not full drums that are going to burst people’s eardrums. It’s quite a mindful, immersive live experience, different to what I’ve done before.”

Bressie has played the album at one show so far, at the Mallow Arts Festival in Cork, where it was well received, he said: “I think people got what it was, that it is a calming experience, an escape, and somewhere that has a spiritual background.”

The Friary is rarely used as a music venue, which that adds to the charm of what will be a unique experience.

“I always thought it would be lovely to do something there, but I wasn’t sure if it would be possible, to be honest.

“I just didn’t think they would want to have a gig, because sometimes places of worship wish to keep it that way.

“Although I think once they realised that it was intended for this type of music, they understood what we were trying to do with the venue.”

Elaborating, Bressie said he plays a grand piano on the album and “you can’t just go in with it on your back, so the logistics of that can be quite challenging.”

Besides being a musician, Bressie has been a mental health advocate for many years, utilising his platform to promote mindfulness and positive mental health.

This concert reflects that, and Bressie aims to provide a space for people to switch off from hectic modern life.

“I wrote this album for myself initially, but like a lot of us, I’m overwhelmed by the world at the moment.

“There has been so much going on for the last 10 years… pandemic, cost of living crisis, recession, austerity, and then people say, oh, you’re a bit anxious. Of course we are.

“But this isn’t about solving anything, it’s just a space for 90 minutes where people can switch off from everything and owe the world nothing, that’s all I’m trying to create.”

Bressie has always been a proud Westmeath man and sees the benefits this are can have for inspiration and mental wellbeing: “The whole album is about Westmeath, I have been obsessed with the lakes all my life.

“I know every inch of every one of those lakes. We live in a stunning part of the world, and sometimes I think we don’t always realise that.

“For me, nature, music, and all things like it need to be used as a prescription, and thankfully, research is telling us that.

Asked about his hopes for the gig, Bressie elaborated on what he hopes people get from it. “I just simply want to create an experience for people. I just wanted them to experience a release.

“I feel that music can allow people to take a light in them, and that’s what I want to do, I just want people to feel a little bit lighter when they leave.

“This is truly a Westmeath gig and album; the whole creative process has been driven by Mullingar.

“With Cúige, Andrea Cullen and Tanya Cullen, it’s been a huge part of what I’m trying to do.”