RTÉ to show documentary about the life of Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin

A documentary about the life of Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin will air on RTÉ One later this month.

Directed and produced by multi-award winning filmmaker Maggie Breathnach of Red Shoe Productions, the documentary, titled 'Between Worlds' The Life of Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin , explores the life and legacy of the pioneering Irish composer and academic.

Ó Súilleabháin passed in 2018 after a life filled with ground-breaking developments as a composer. His unique Irish piano style fusing classical, jazz and Irish traditional elements was trailblazing, along with his creation of the incredible Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick.

The documentary gives the audience an artistic and philosophical insight into his creative output, also aiming to bring viewers on an intimate journey through some of the most interesting aspects of Mícheál's life.

The soundscape of the documentary includes specially curated and recorded musical performances – including some poignant pieces from the Irish Chamber Orchestra.

Central to the documentary is the input from Mícheál’s family and close friends; his wife Helen provides a narrative thread throughout, giving a rare and emotive insight into his early life, his career and the background to their long professional and personal relationship.

His sons are also featured - Owen builds the soundscape for the documentary, Mícheál P addresses the audience through the medium of his poetry, while Luke is filmed at home with Mícheál’s piano.

Mícheál’s older brother John recreates childhood summers in Clonmel, while Nóirín Ni Riain fondly recalls meeting the then Mick O’Sullivan in their early days in University College Cork.

'Between Worlds' also features contributions from former UCC students of his, Mary Mitchell Ingoldsby and Mel Mercier as well as from long-time musical collaborators Iarla Ó Lionáird, Neil Martin and David Brophy.

'Between Worlds' can be viewed on RTÉ One on December 20, at 10.15pm.