Tag Archives: Professor Mícheál Ó Súílleabháin

A DOCUMENTARY about a University of Limerick academic and one of the most influential figures in Irish music is to be aired this Tuesday. Directed and produced by multi-award winning filmmaker Maggie Breathnach of Red Shoe Productions, “Between Worlds” explores the life and legacy of the pioneering Irish composer and academic  Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin (1950-2018).  From his ground-breaking developments as a composer with a unique Irish piano style fusing classical, jazz and Irish traditional elements, to his creation of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick, Ó Súilleabháin’s output had a huge impact on Irish music and music education in this country. Heavily influenced by the pioneering work of Seán Ó Riada and Aloys Fleischman during his time at UCC, Ó Súilleabháin viewed the world as a global village. Although Ireland was undoubtedly the epicentre of the world in his eyes, Ó Súilleabháin brought traces of his travels into his music and in turn infused world music with our …

The musical genius of Clare fiddler Martin Hayes has been acknowledged in his selection as the first recipient of a prestigious new award at the University of Limerick. UL has announced a new three-year arts patronage award through the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. The Irish World Academy Artist, will facilitate the creative process of selected artists across a three-year period through a budget of €60,000. Martin Hayes, the first recipient, has been internationally acclaimed for bringing his local East Clare traditional fiddle style to a global audience through his many performances and recording. The Irish World Academy Artist at the University of Limerick will undertake a series of creative projects across the three-year span. Students of the academy will have access to open workshops in the building on the banks of the river Shannon on the University Campus. Professor Don Barry, president of UL, said, “It is fitting that an artist of the stature of Martin Hayes should …