Minister for the Diaspora, Ciaran Cannon is set to perform with the RTE Concert Orchestra this Friday in the National Concert Hall as part of a sold out concert with folk singer Sean Keane.

The Fine Gael Galway East TD is actually an accomplished musician and songwriter and has composed the music for two tracks on Sean Keane's new album with the RTE Concert Orchestra, which gets its first live performance this Friday.

Minister Cannon will play piano with the orchestra and says that the opportunity is a very special one for him.

"My father was a musician, as was his father, and it's important to me to continue that family tradition. Sean Keane and his family have been extraordinary custodians of a musical tradition that is centuries old and this opportunity to collaborate with him and the RTE Concert Orchestra means a lot to me," he tells us.

“I composed the music for two tracks on Sean's new album, including the title track "Gratitude" and I'm really looking forward to performing with Sean and the orchestra in our National Concert Hall."

The album "Gratitude", which immediately went to number one in iTunes sales worldwide in the Folk category, is a ground breaking piece of work showcasing songs old and new from Sean Keane's repertoire.

All 12 tracks were arranged by Gavin Murphy with the RTE Concert Orchestra being conducted by David Brophy.

The recording with Sean Keane is yet another example of a national orchestra spreading its wings to perform with an ever more diverse group of artists to reach a wider audience.

"Everyone involved in the RTE Concert Orchestra should be immensely proud of its ongoing development," Ciaran Cannon says. “It continues to reach an ever wider audience and in doing so, enhances the lives of so many people who may never have heard a live orchestral performance before.

“Whether it's with Sean Keane, Jenny Greene, Declan O'Rourke or the multitude of artists who have worked with the orchestra, every time an audience is immersed for the first time in that glorious orchestral sound, it really is a moment to remember for so many people."

Phew! Still on course..... #GalwayvClare #galwaygaa #hurling pic.twitter.com/rzB535xGnt

— Ciaran Cannon 🇮🇪 (@ciarancannon) 5 de agosto de 2018

The Minister adds, “To hear Gavin Murphy and David Brophy working their magic on a piece of music that I wrote on a piano in my living room, to hear David Agnew playing the opening bars on the oboe, all of those moments will stay with me for life.

“I feel deeply privileged to have been part of this very special musical project and I'm very grateful to Sean Keane and the RTE Concert Orchestra for allowing me to collaborate with them in making the album. Friday night will be a very special night indeed for my family and I," concludes Ciaran.