A Celebration of Irish Composer Seán Ó Riada, 2006

Musicians celebrate the work of composer Seán Ó Riada at the National Concert Hall.

The concert at the NCH marks 75 years since the birth of Seán Ó Riada, a central figure in the revival of traditional Irish music.

Seán Ó Riada was born in Cork on 1 August 1931 and died at the age of 40 on 3 October 1971.

In that short time, he managed to play a huge role in Irish culture through the writing and promoting of Irish traditional music as well as composing mass music.

From 1961 to 1969, he was the leader of the band Ceoltóirí Chualann, combining traditional Irish tunes with orchestral arrangements. He went on to become Assistant Director at Radio Éireann and Director of Music at the Abbey Theatre.

In 1960, Ó Riada was commissioned to write the music for the George Morrison documentary ‘Mise Éire’ exploring the 1916 Rising which made Seán Ó Riada a household name.

The National Concert Hall event will see his son Peadar Ó Riada lead a collection of musicians who will pay tribute to the work of Seán Ó Riada. Peadar says that his father has always been a presence in their lives.

Singer Seán Ó Sé recalls Seán Ó Riada’s principal instruction when singing a song.

Abair amhrán, which means tell me a song

An RTÉ News report broadcast on 19 August 2006. The reporter is Conor Mark Kavanagh.