Peadar Ó Riada
Irish composer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Peadar Ó Riada (born 1954) is an Irish composer, musician and broadcaster.[1] Living in the Muskerry Gaeltacht region of Cúil Aodha, he is the son and eldest child of the Irish composer, Seán Ó Riada.
Peadar Ó Riada | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1954 (age 71–72) Cúil Aodha, Cork, Ireland |
| Occupation | Composer |
| Years active | 1971-present |
Early life
O'Riada was born in Cúil Aodha in 1954. He attended University College Cork where he graduated with a degree in music in 1976.[2] After his father's death in 1971, he took over as choir director of Cór Chúl Aodha where he continued to compose both liturgic and secular works.[3][4]
Career
Ó Riada has released numerous CDs in various genres related to the Irish idiom including; choral, traditional, piano. He has published several books and articles on various subjects including the children’s book Scéalta Shéamuis.
Musical works
- Triúr sa Draighean
- Triúr arís 2011
- Amidst These Hills
- Winds gentle whisper
- Laoi na Laoithe
- Go mBeannaítear Duit
- Ceol Is Cibeal Chúil Aodha (1978)
- Dir Cúm Thola is Cúil Aodha
- Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire
- Go mBeannaitear Duit (2008)
- Ceol Rinnce Gaelach Nua (2022)
O'Riada is also a broadcaster and has a weekly traditional music show on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.[5]
Personal life
O'Riada lives today in Cúil Aodha. He has also been a professional beekeeper, founding the company "Mil an tSuláin".[6]
In June 2020, he was named Cork Person of the Month.[2] He was awarded an honorary masters degree in music from University College, Cork, in 2023.[5]
He is a brother of the Sinn Féin politician Liadh Ní Riada and an uncle of musician and broadcaster Doireann Ní Ghlacáin. In 2026 he announced that he was undergoing treatment for cancer.[7]
Publications
- The Mass Settings of Seán and Peadar Ó Riada (2017) - ISBN 978-1-78-205235-7
- Ceoltóirí Chualann: The Band that Changed the Course of Irish Music (2024) - ISBN 978-1-78-117869-0
