A Climent orchard down in the south

ANGEL CLIMENT is going home. After 41 years as an organist, choirmaster, composer, pianist and teacher, the Valencia man, (Spain, not Kerry) is retiring and heading to the Orchard of the South, as his home place in Spain is known.

Mr Climent, whose CD, This is my Will, featuring three Masses and other motifs is currently on release, is a prolific composer and accompanist.

One of his early works was commissioned to open the Cork Film Festival in the 1960s and he chuckles at the thought of Hollywood stars sitting through sung Masses in St Francis's Church.

Most recently, This is my Will was sung by soprano Cara O'Sullivan at the re-consecration of Christ the King Church in Turner's Cross.

Angel firmed up his commitment to this country when he married Myra Comer and they have three children, Tom, Clara and Aengus. Tom is on his way to becoming a well-known artist, while Clara is a cellist by profession. The youngest has yet to nail his colours to the artistic mast, says Angel.

Although Angel is retiring to Spain, he still regards Ireland as home. "Ireland is my country and we will spend some time here, but I have loads of family in Valencia also, and I can continue in the music business there, composing and conducting. We will have two worlds."

The Climents are now selling the family home at 11 Lislee, in the Maryborough Estate and so far, there has been no shortage of viewers, says Jean Shanahan of Harris Properties. She's the agent in charge of the sale and gives a guide price of €385,000 for this four to five bedroomed home.

A good spacious house, with a ground-floor addition, it's in a coveted area and ideally located in the Douglas/Rochestown suburb.

And while the house will woo the buyers the gardens will knock them out. Here the Climents have managed to create their very own orchard of the south. Mediterranean in their profusion, the gardens boast herbaceous and perennial borders, as well as cherry, pear and apple trees.

Meanwhile, a performance of Mr Climent's new work, will be held on June 28 in St Francis's Church with the Cork Youth Orchestra and combined church choirs from St Mary's, St Francis and Christ the King.