Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

Ireland

Birth

:

May 19, 1939 in Dublin, Ireland

 

John Sheahan was born on May 19, 1939, in Dublin, Ireland. He grew up in a musical family, with his father playing the fiddle and his mother singing. Sheahan began playing the violin at the age of four and quickly showed a natural talent for music. He went on to study at the Dublin School of Music and later at Trinity College Dublin. In the early 1960s, Sheahan became a member of the Irish folk group The Dubliners. He played the fiddle and other instruments and quickly became a key member of the group. The Dubliners were known for their lively performances and traditional Irish music, and Sheahan's contributions helped to make them one of the most popular folk groups in Ireland. In addition to his work with The Dubliners, Sheahan also composed music for film and television. He wrote the score for the 1970 film "The Railway Children" and later composed music for the popular Irish television series "Glenroe." Throughout his career, Sheahan continued to compose and perform classical music. He wrote a number of pieces for orchestra, including "The Marino Suite" and "The Fiddler of Dooney." He also composed chamber music, including a string quartet and a piano trio. One of Sheahan's most famous works is his "Requiem for the Lost Souls of the Titanic." The piece was commissioned by the Belfast Festival at Queen's in 1997 to mark the 85th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Sheahan's requiem is a haunting and powerful tribute to the victims of the disaster. In addition to his work as a composer, Sheahan was also a respected music educator. He taught at the Dublin School of Music and later at Trinity College Dublin. He was known for his dedication to his students and his passion for music. Sheahan continued to perform and compose music well into his later years. He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2018 RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards in recognition of his contributions to Irish music. John Sheahan passed away on March 14, 2019, at the age of 79. He left behind a rich legacy of music and a lasting impact on the Irish music scene.

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