Seán Ó Riada to be honoured by the National Concert Hall, The Arts Council, and RTÉ for 50th anniversary of his death

The National Concert Hall, The Arts Council, and RTÉ will present two concerts to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Seán Ó Riada's death. The concerts will air on September 25 at 2pm and 8pm.

Supported by Davy as Innovation Partner and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, the concerts were announced as part of the National Concert Hall Autumn Season, Refractions.

The first concert will feature the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by David Brophy, as well as performances from Aoife Ní Bhríain and Mick O'Brien. The programme will include some of Ó Riada's most well-known compositions, including 'Hercules Dux Ferrariae' and 'Banks of the Sullane.'

Peadar Ó Riada, composer and son of Ó Riada, will host the second concert alongside Ceoltóirí Chualann. Seán Ó Sé, Sean Keane, Cormac Begley, Ryan Molloy, Sibéal Ní Chasaide, Mick O'Brien, Michael Tubridy, John Kelly, Kevin Glackin, Seán Potts, Eamonn McGiveney, and Mel Mercier will perform. Ó Riada's granddaughters, Doireann and Siún Ní Ghlacáin will also perform, as well as Crash Ensemble and Stephen Rea.

Both concerts will honour Ó Riada and celebrate his contribution to traditional music in Ireland.

"These two exceptional concerts featuring a gathering of acclaimed Irish artists pay homage to the innovative and poetic nature of his work," explained Robert Read, the CEO of the National Concert Hall.

"Seán Ó Riada gave traditional music a dynamic place in a new modern Irish state," said Ann-Marie Power, the head of RTÉ Arts and Culture. "[He] became the wind of inspiration and it's moving to experience the richness and vibrancy he inspired in generations of musicians and writers right up to this present moment."

Maureen Kennelly, the director of the Arts Council, added: "The name Seán Ó Riada is synonymous with the development of Irish traditional music and in his short career he has left a remarkable legacy. His reimagining of our music has undoubtedly helped preserve the tradition and his contribution has shaped how we appreciate the traditional arts today."

The concerts can be live-streamed for free on September 25 on nch.ie and RTÉ. On October 2, highlights will air on RTÉ One, and on October 3, they will air on RTÉ lyric fm.