This Friday, April 17th, a very special evening of music and song will be taking place in St.Michael’s Church, Ennistymon, Co.Clare in memory of the late John O’Donohue. 

The choir will be performing Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor. They will be joined by more than 75 members of the London Symphony Chorus and The City of Dublin Concert Orchestra under the baton of Joseph Cullen, Principal Conductor of the LSC. Also performing on the night are Sopranos Naomi O’Connell & Anne Byrne as well as Baritone Alistair Ollerenshaw, Tenor Peter O’Donohue and the young Soprano Katie O’Donohue (nephew and niece to John). 

I am privileged to be able to call John family and although I sadly didn’t get to know the man behind the beautiful writings such as Anam Chara, I have very vivid memories of him from my childhood when he was parish priest in the local church for a brief period prior to leaving the church and pursuing a career in writing. I remember the effect he had on people when he met them – there were always smiles and laughter and an infectious warmth that I can almost sense again when I try to take in the words he has written that so many have found inspirational.

Tickets for the concert are still available and can be booked over the phone by credit card by calling the Burren College of Art on (065) 707 72 00. Check out the blog at http://jodonohue.blogspot.com.