Here is a bit about the man, shamelessly lifted from a story upon his reception of the TG4 Gradam Ceoill Award in 2010.
"Muiris Ó Rócháin was presented with his award by renowned musician Martin Hayes and Muiris's son Seamús, who plays the uileann pipes, performed on the night.
Muiris has spent many decades dedicated to Irish culture, folklore and community life and is a hugely respected figure in Irish traditional music.
After qualifying as a teacher, he taught in Cahersiveen and Waterville and collected folklore from some of that region's last native Irish speakers.
He moved to Dublin where he formed a lasting friendship with Breandán Breathnach, music collector and scholar and with John Kelly, the great fiddle and concertina player from west Clare.
The revival of traditional music was in full swing in Dublin at this time and Muiris was at the heart of it.
In 1970, Muiris married Úna Guerin of Miltown Malbay and moved there to teach at Spanish Point and this part of Clare has been his home since then.
His achievements there then have been many and varied.
He is undoubtedly best known for his work as overall director of Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy. He was a great friend of the piper and soon after his death Muiris was key to the campaign to set up a summer school in his honour.
In 2001 he was selected as President of Oireachtas na Gaeilge, and he continues to make a massive contribution to Irish traditional music."
Such sad news. He did so much for the love and the promotion of the Traditional Irish music scene which can hardly be measured. He will be sadly missed by so many people in the trad scene for his contributions and by me as a lovely kind hearted man who I was lucky enough to call a friend.
The extend of the loss for Irish culture and the traditional arts will be hard to overstate but it's the man we mourn now, kindhearted and generous, patient and encouraging. Paul de Grae maybe summed it up elsewhere when I passed on the news: 'There are very few people on the trad scene that you'd never ever hear a bad word about: he was one'.
During the last Willie Clancy summer School, the family brought Muiris out for the singing recital on the Friday afternoon. It was extremely moving to see him out and the outpouring of love and goodwill from all present was no small token of the regard he was held in.
Condolences to Úna, Seámus and Maura and a big thank you to the man himself as he made a difference and touched the lives, directly or indirectly, of all of us singing or playing Irish music.
A very sad loss. His contribution to traditional Irish music through the Willie Clancy week is immeasureable. My condolences to his family and friends.
Muiris Ó Róchaín RIP
Muiris Ó Róchaín RIP
Very sad news reported today that Muiris Ó Róchaín, the driving force behind the Willie Clancy Summer School has passed away following a long illness.
Anyone who has ever attended that great festival has a lot to thank Muiris for.
RIP Muiris Ó Róchaín
# Posted on October 18th 2011 by The Tune Composer
Re: Muiris Ó Róchaín RIP
What a great man and friend.
May he rest in peace.
# Posted on October 18th 2011 by gooseinthenettles
Re: Muiris Ó Róchaín RIP
There's a tune, Muiris & Una, possibly written by Tommy or Siobhan Peoples. I'll try to dig it out and submit it over the next few days.
R I P
# Posted on October 18th 2011 by Jams_O'Donnell
Re: Muiris Ó Róchaín RIP
Sad news indeed.
Here is a bit about the man, shamelessly lifted from a story upon his reception of the TG4 Gradam Ceoill Award in 2010.
"Muiris Ó Rócháin was presented with his award by renowned musician Martin Hayes and Muiris's son Seamús, who plays the uileann pipes, performed on the night.
Muiris has spent many decades dedicated to Irish culture, folklore and community life and is a hugely respected figure in Irish traditional music.
After qualifying as a teacher, he taught in Cahersiveen and Waterville and collected folklore from some of that region's last native Irish speakers.
He moved to Dublin where he formed a lasting friendship with Breandán Breathnach, music collector and scholar and with John Kelly, the great fiddle and concertina player from west Clare.
The revival of traditional music was in full swing in Dublin at this time and Muiris was at the heart of it.
In 1970, Muiris married Úna Guerin of Miltown Malbay and moved there to teach at Spanish Point and this part of Clare has been his home since then.
His achievements there then have been many and varied.
He is undoubtedly best known for his work as overall director of Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy. He was a great friend of the piper and soon after his death Muiris was key to the campaign to set up a summer school in his honour.
In 2001 he was selected as President of Oireachtas na Gaeilge, and he continues to make a massive contribution to Irish traditional music."
RIP, Mr. Ó Rócháin
# Posted on October 18th 2011 by Piece
Re: Muiris Ó Róchaín RIP
Such sad news. He did so much for the love and the promotion of the Traditional Irish music scene which can hardly be measured. He will be sadly missed by so many people in the trad scene for his contributions and by me as a lovely kind hearted man who I was lucky enough to call a friend.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
# Posted on October 18th 2011 by aoiferua
Re: Muiris Ó Róchaín RIP
A great loss. My condolences to Muiris' family and friends
# Posted on October 18th 2011 by Steamwilkes
Re: Muiris Ó Róchaín RIP
The extend of the loss for Irish culture and the traditional arts will be hard to overstate but it's the man we mourn now, kindhearted and generous, patient and encouraging. Paul de Grae maybe summed it up elsewhere when I passed on the news: 'There are very few people on the trad scene that you'd never ever hear a bad word about: he was one'.
During the last Willie Clancy summer School, the family brought Muiris out for the singing recital on the Friday afternoon. It was extremely moving to see him out and the outpouring of love and goodwill from all present was no small token of the regard he was held in.
Condolences to Úna, Seámus and Maura and a big thank you to the man himself as he made a difference and touched the lives, directly or indirectly, of all of us singing or playing Irish music.
# Posted on October 18th 2011 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: Muiris Ó Róchaín RIP
Another sad loss, a sweet and generous soul...
# Posted on October 18th 2011 by ceolachan
Re: Muiris Ó Róchaín RIP
A very sad loss. His contribution to traditional Irish music through the Willie Clancy week is immeasureable. My condolences to his family and friends.
# Posted on October 19th 2011 by Kenny
Re: Muiris Ó Róchaín RIP
His illness and his death both knocked me off my feet.
We have lost one of the greats.
RIP, Muiris.
David J Taylor
# Posted on October 20th 2011 by DavidT