Guitar mad Peadar inspired by Clonmel High School music legends

Given his passion for music and playing his guitar when Peadar Bradshaw started secondary school in the High School in Clonmel he found it hard to understand how understated the very rich musical tradition of the school appeared to be.

When exploring how he could pursue his interest in music in secondary school Peadar said he had to go in search of the music environment in the school.
When Covid arrived Peadar embarked on an ambitious project to put that right.

Driven by a determination to create a deserving salute the likes of Frank Patterson, Míchael Ó Súilleabháin and Vincent Hanley and more Peadar set to work.

He has created a documentary that will forever stand as a testament to the High School music tradition that made an impact on a global, national and local level.

The project has been a colossal undertaking for 15-year-old Peadar and his work will stand as a valuable archive and as a public record of the High School music tradition.

The two-hour documentary is called: How Music Changed My Life and will be screened for all those involved in the making of the documentary on Sunday, January 8 at the cinema in Clonmel.

On Saturday, January 14 there will be a viewing in the Clonmel cinema for the public.
Anyone interested in seeing the documentary on January 14 can contact the CBS High School in Clonmel between 9am - 1pm (052 6124459) to reserve a seat.
Interest in the public viewing is already busy and anybody wishing to see the documentary are advised to book their seat early.

“So much was achieved in the music industry by former pupils of the High School but that is not obvious when you walk around the school or if somebody came to visit the school. People should know about that incredible contribution to music the minute they walk in the door and I hope the film gives all those people due credit for what they achieved,” said Peadar.

People like Frank Patterson, Míchael Ó Súilleabháin, Vincent Hanley to name but a few are past pupils who really put Clonmel on the world map just like Roy7, the Pearly Whites, Supersoul, Cian Smith (World Champion - Uilleann Pipes) and Banna Cluain Meala are currently doing.

Peadar is the eldest son of Aidan and Annette Bradshaw and he has a brother, Fergal who is also a High School student.
Peadar always listened to music but only picked up the guitar four years ago and went for lessons to Liam O’Reilly. “I was in Powerstown National School and when I was in first year in the High School my interest really picked up and I got my first electric guitar,” said Peadar who became involved in the High School music group. While there is no history of music in his immediate family Peadar has been given plenty of encouragement on his musical journey by a legendary musical figure.

Folk singer Freddie White is married to a sister of his mother and the Cork man has given Peadar plenty of support along the way.
“What Freddie did really impressed me. Somebody on the stage with just a guitar with no band and making that connection with people was amazing. Just one person creating that on their own really had an impact on me and I decided that that was something I wanted to do,” said Peadar.

The space and time he found himself with during the pandemic allowed Peadar to take on the documentary project.
Peadar said he realised on day one just how much work would be involved.

There were almost 50 interviews and over 100 current and past pupils involved in the performance elements of the film.
And so, this short documentary quickly became a feature length project with over 150 hours worth of material which Peadar then edited into a two-hour production.
“Gathering all of the material we needed and the editing involved a huge amount of work. It took a massive amount of time but it was all worth it,” said Peadar.

Peadar said he was fortunate to meet a lot of very interesting and talented people during the process of making the film.
“For example I met Tony O’Keeffe and he was telling me his memories of sitting beside Frank Patterson in the High School. That was very interesting and I enjoyed meeting people who had those kind of memories,” said Peadar.
“Everybody was so helpful taking the time to do interviews and were very co-operative about providing clips of performances that we needed,” said Peadar.
Peadar said he hopes people enjoy the film and he would like the production to act as a deserving tribute to so many talented musicians who nurtured their talents in the High School in Clonmel.