Musicians scale new heights to banish blues

MEET the musicians who are going to new heights to lift the nations’ spirit on budget day.

Harpist Ruth McDonnell and primary teacher, uileann piper and tin whistle player, Máire de Cógáin, will perform a range of uplifting Irish melodies from the roof of the iconic Shandon church tower overlooking Cork city at dawn today to herald the beginning of our new “austerity regime”.

As the sun rises on the day Finance Minister Brian Lenihan delivers the worst budget in our history, the musicians said they hope their “air on a shoestring”, as the event’s been christened, will sound a call to “hope and courage”.