Sound Links - Reimagining Townsend Street

Townsend Street in Belfast has a rich history, and this year the Ulster Orchestra, Townsend Enterprise Park and Zeppo Arts are working on a project exploring that history as part of Belfast 2024.

Sound Links is a community-informed project that will culminate in a community-led celebration of the street and its people on International Peace Day on 21 September 2024. 

Sound Links will celebrate the heritage of the area. Three new works have been commissioned as part of the project from local composers Rory Friers, Úna Monaghan and Jamie Thompson and will be performed by Ulster Orchestra musicians in Townsend Street Church, now the home of the Orchestra, as part of the celebrations on 21 September. These musical pieces will explore the themes of the past, present and future of Townsend Street and will be informed by the stories, memories and hopes collected from people as part of the consultation period which is open until May 2024.

The shape of the final event celebration is very much up for grabs: we’re keen to give ownership of what that should look, sound, and feel like to people in the surrounding area. We’re also looking for people with memories of Townsend Street to get in touch, to share their reflections, recollections, anecdotes and stories.

Take a look at this video introducing the project

We would love to hear from you – whether it’s a memory/story, a vision for the street’s future or an idea for the celebration event, please use this platform to share your thoughts with us. 

Alternatively, you can contact townsend2024@ulsterorchestra.com with memories of/visions for Townsend Street by 8 May, and with ideas for the final event by 1 June 2024.