Wednesday 16th August 2023
Location: St Canice’s Cathedral
Seamus Heaney performed at our very first Festival in 1974, and this year, to mark the 10th anniversary of his death, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra presents Sweeney, a song cycle based on his poem Sweeney Astray.

Heaney’s poem is a version of the 7th-century Irish saga, Buile Shuibhne, a poem about the clash between the natural and man-made world, and the role of race, religion and family, that still speaks to us today.

Composed by Neil Martin and conducted by David Brophy, with vocals from Iarla Ó Lionáird and narration by Ciarán Hinds, Sweeney brings Heaney’s words to life in a memorable tribute to one of Ireland’s greatest poets.

Broadcaster John Kelly will interview Neil Martin before the show begins.
Organisers Website

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