O'Connell - Commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Daniel O'Connell
British Prime Minister William Gladstone called him ‘the greatest popular leader the world had ever seen’, Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King quoted him as an inspiration, “O’Connell” is a celebration in music, song, dance and anecdote, of the extraordinary life and times of Daniel O’Connell: The Liberator!
Produced and directed by Diarmuid de Faoite with musical direction by Geraldine Cotter, “O’Connell” features a host of outstanding performers from County Clare and beyond to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Daniel O’Connell.
This one off event features original arrangements spanning the entirety of his lifetime (1775-1847) with music and songs from the The French Revolutionary period, The 1798 rebellion, The Campaign for the Abolition of Slavery, The Great Famine, The Young Irelander Movement as well as songs that celebrate his election and extraordinary achievements.
Featuring Geraldine Cotter (piano), Seán Lyons (Uileann pipes and guitar), Aisling Lyons (harp and concertina), Éamon Cotter (flute), and special musical guests Floriane Blancke, Tim Dennehy, Emer O’Flaherty, Pól Ó Ceannabháin, Paddy and Síofra Hogan, Síofra Ní Éilí Duggan, along with members of The Tulla Pipe Band, The Shannon Gospel Choir, and performers Diarmuid de Faoite and Martin McNelis.
Visuals by Ciara Malone.
O’Connell was an astounding orator, barrister and politician. Following his election in Clare in 1828 he successfully removed many of the restrictions imposed on Catholics by the Penal Laws, becoming the first Catholic in well over a hundred years to take a seat at Westminster (Emancipation). He was one of the foremost opponents of slavery in all its forms (Abolition) and advocated for a separate Irish parliament in Dublin (Repeal). His Monster meetings motivated millions. Such was his international fame that when Belgian parliamentarians voted on their new King, three of them voted for O’Connell! No wonder he became known simply as The Liberator!
Immerse yourself in the anecdotes, the satirical cartoons, the movements and the music of an age that became the foundation stone of our present democracies and rights movements.
O’CONNELL is commissioned by the Arts Office of Clare County Council with the support of the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport
Page last reviewed: 15/07/25
Content managed by: Arts Office
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