Statue of Seán Ó’Riada unveiled

A LIFE size statue of composer Seán Ó Riada has been unveiled in Cúil Aodha in mid-Cork.

Rachel Ní Riada, a daughter of the late musician, represented the family alongside six of her siblings and 18 of the late composer’s grandchildren, at the unveiling ceremony opposite St Gobnait’s Church in Cúil Aodha on Sunday.

Rachel said her late mother and father would have been delighted with the honour, which was preceded by Mass attended by amongst others, the surviving members of Ceoltóiri Cualann, a group founded by Seán. “We really appreciate it. The organising committee approached us a few months ago and it took off very quickly,” said Rachel.

One of the organisers of the event, Eoin Ó Súilleabháin, said locals were pleased to finally be able to honour one of Irish music’s biggest ever influences.