Peadar Ó Riada

Peadar Ó Riada has carried forward the path established by his father, the renowned Irish musician, composer, choirmaster, and bandleader Sean Ó Riada. Although grounded in Ireland’s musical heritage, he has woven in strands from classical traditions, Eastern sources, and the European avant-garde. Beyond his work as a solo recording artist, he has led the Chor Cuil Aodha ever since his father’s passing in 1971. Through his production company Dord, he is developing the twelve-part series Ceol Na D'Talun (Song of the Earth), which traces the development of Irish music. He has also overseen recordings by Iarla O'Lionaid and Anuna. Irish poet Thomas Kinsella observed, “It is not often that a single person, however gifted, can alter the character of a nation's culture.” Ó Riada has achieved precisely that. ~ Craig Harris