Clonmel Junction Arts Festival prepares to honour the remarkable Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin

As Clonmel Junction Arts Festival prepares to honour the remarkable legacy of Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, with two concerts,  Relections, Revisited and Eklego, Artistic Director Cliona Maher emphasises the significance of celebrating the life and work of this esteemed Clonmel native.

Maher says, "Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin was not only a musical prodigy he was also a visionary, who transcended boundaries, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music and education. His influence resonates deeply with both those who knew him and the next generation of artists and musicians."

With this sentiment, the festival aims to pay homage to Ó Súilleabháin's far-reaching impact, ensuring that he continues to inspire and resonate with audiences of all ages.

Through these two captivating concerts, the festival will share the enduring relevance and brilliance of Ó Súilleabháin's contributions, fostering a deeper appreciation for his innovative musical legacy.

Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin was a transformative force in Irish music, renowned as a composer, pianist, and academic. Born in Clonmel, his talent as a piano player was evident from an early age, and above the family grocery shop on Mitchel Street, Mícheál’s constant playing became a source of entertainment for friends, neighbours and passersby.

His brother, local businessman John O’Sullivan, remembers a simple childhood, with both boys playing lots of sports - Mícheál was a talented tennis and pitch and putt player.

 As he grew older his musical tastes broadened and diversified, and he was the leading member of both a local rock band and a ballad group. Determined to pursue his music studies, the family were delighted when he was awarded a County Council Scholarship to study under the legendary Sean Ó Riada at University College Cork.

John reflects that “there was no way he could have gone to university without that – it was a huge thing in terms of his career.” In Cork, he absorbed the essence of traditional Irish music, despite not playing conventional Irish instruments.

As a piano player, he straddled the worlds of Irish traditional music and classical music.

 Fidelio Trio’s Darragh Morgan was a friend and colleague of Mícheál’s and they commissioned a number of pieces and arrangements that will sit at the heart of their performance on.

The concert which opens the festival on Friday 29th June will also reach back in time to the music of Carolan, with the harp music arranged for harpsichord, and follows in the tradition of defining the music of harpers as Irish art music, and look to the future with music by Irene and Linda Buckley.

His student from the UCC days, and frequent collaborator Mel Mercier, remembers him as an inspiring teacher and an incredibly articulate speaker whose ability to convince with language was part of his appeal. “He created a ‘Community of Sound’, exploring and revealing the possibilities of music to the students.”

Mel will curate a Saturday 29th June event, EKLEGO, that remembers this exciting and creative period, gathering musicians to perform a concert that looks back at a moment in time, 30 years on, which will be a lively reunion of talented musicians, including Bobby Gardiner, Colm Murphy, Mary Mitchell-Ingoldsby, Niall Vallely, and the re-formed Rectory Ceili Band.

In 1994, Mícheál founded the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick, nurturing it into a prestigious institution offering diverse degree programs.

His vision revolutionized music education, attracting students from over 50 countries. Ó Súilleabháin's influence extended beyond academia. He championed Irish culture worldwide, serving as the inaugural Chair of Culture Ireland and establishing the Irish Music Archive at Boston College.

His collaborations with the Irish Chamber Orchestra and his pioneering work with aerial dance company Fidget Feet - frequent Junction Festival partners - exemplify his interdisciplinary approach to the arts.

Honoured with prestigious awards, including honorary doctorates and the Freedom of the Town in Clonmel, Ó Súilleabháin's legacy continues to resonate. His profound impact on Irish music and education endures, inspiring generations to embrace innovation and tradition.

Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin's legacy as a visionary musician and educator remains indelible, even after his passing in 2018, and Clonmel Junction Arts Festival are looking forward to bringing some of that legacy home to Clonmel this summer.

A panel discussion featuring Helen Phelan, Mel Mercier and Aidan O’Donnell will take place on Sunday 30th at the Main Guard in Clonmel.

www.junctionfestival.ie