A LIFE-SIZE statue of composer Seán Ó Riada was unveiled in Cúil Aodha, in the Cork Gaeltacht, yesterday. Rachel Ni Riada, a daughter, represented the family alongside six of her siblings and 18 of Ó Riada's grandchildren.
Ó Riada was perhaps the single most influential figure in the renaissance of traditional Irish music from the 1960s, through his participation in Ceoltóirí Cualann, his compositions, musical arrangements, his writings and his broadcasts on the topic.
Speaking before the statue was officially unveiled opposite St Gobnait's Church in Cúil Aodha, Ms Ni Riada said her late mother and father would have been delighted with the honour.
"We really appreciate it. The organising committee approached us a few months ago and it took off very quickly. We are thrilled."
The unveiling was preceded by a Mass at 2pm yesterday at St Gobnait's Church which was attended by, amongst others, the surviving members of Ceoltóiri Cualann, a group founded by Ó Riada. Those present included former group member and singer Seán Ó Sé.
One of the organisers of the event, Eoin Ó Súilleabháin, said locals were pleased to honour one of Irish music's biggest influences. "People have been thinking about something like this for years but nobody took the initiative of actually doing anything until less than a year ago.
"We picked this weekend because it would have been his [Ó Riada's] birthday and members of Ceoltóiri Cualann always come to the town at this time."
The statue of Ó Riada is the work of sculptor Mike Kenny from Castleisland, Co Kerry.
It portrays Ó Riada playing the organ and is located in the grounds of St Gobnait's, where one of his most enduring compositions - the Ó Riada Mass - is still sung every Sunday by a choir led by his son Peadar.
The unveiling was followed by a performance by the surviving members of Ceoltóirí Cualann.
Ó Riada is perhaps best remembered as being the first to blend Irish traditional music with its classical counterpart, most notably in the music which he produced for the film Mise Éire.
He was born John Reidy on August 1st, 1931, in Cork. His parents, John and Julia Reidy (née Creedon) brought young John back to their home in Adare, Co Limerick, where he remained until he transferred to St Finbarr's College, Farranferris, in 1943.
Reidy subsequently attended University College Cork where he met his future wife, Ruth Coughlan. The pair married on September 1st, 1953.
Ó Riada's first venture into professional employment was with RTÉ, where he was appointed assistant director of music.
He later became director of music at the Abbey Theatre. A passionate interest in the Irish language emerged and he first began signing his name as Seán Ó Riada on Abbey compositions in 1955. This signalled a new phase in Ó Riada's personal development, one which saw him become immersed in the traditional Irish way of life.
He was appointed lecturer in music at UCC and he and his family moved to Cúil Aodha in 1963.
He died on October 3rd, 1971, aged 40, in King's College Hospital, London, following a heart attack.