The Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra was established in 2016 to provide a platform for the strong interest in traditional music among young people in Co. Laois. In 2016, the orchestra collaborated with Composer Martin Tourish to create a new suite of music ‘1916 Visions and Voices’ funded by the Laois 2016 Community Fund, Per Cent for Art through Laois County Council and the Music Generation Arts Council Partnership.  ‘Visions and Voices’ was premiered on the 22 of May 2016, as part of the Music Generation Laois New Works Series, to unprecedented public response! This music has since been performed at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Ennis 2016, and for audiences that include Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Prince Albert of Monaco (2017). ‘Visions and Voices’ has also been recorded and launched in CD format.

The Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra is directed by Siobhan Buckley. The Orchestra has collaborated with many well-known musicians including Zoe Conway and John McIntyre, Michael Rooney and composed new music ‘Loinnir Laoise’ in collaboration with Ryan Molloy (2018) and once again collaborating with Martin Tourish to create ‘The Impossible Dream’ (2021) a suite of music celebrating the life-time achievements of Portlaoise Aviator Colonel James Fitzmaurice, co-funded by Creative Ireland Laois, via Laois County Council. In 2023 the Orchestra worked with Ernestine Healy on a new composition ‘The Tionól Suite’ and most recently collaborated with Chris Stout and Catriona McKay to commission another suite of music ‘Hook Head’. The Orchestra have performed on the main stage at the Festival Headquarters in Collins Barracks, Dublin on St Patrick’s Day as part of the St Patrick’s Festival (2022 & 2023), Forest Fest (2023), The PanCeltic Festival (2023), Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (2022, 2023, 2024), Breizh PanCeltic Festival in Brittany (2022) and Creative Connexions | Sitges Live Festical in Spain (2023, 2024).