Seán de hÓra is one of the most well-known and influential sean-nós singers from the Corca Dhuibhne Gaeltacht. Born in Cloichear in 1908, Seán was an elderly man when I was a young girl, but I knew him through my father and I knew Seán’s daughters. I was aware that Seán had been the only person from the area to win Corn Chomhlacht an Oideachais (now known as Corn Ui Riada) at Oireachtas na Samhna in 1970. He was also one of the first local musicians to record an album, which was released on Gael Linn Records in 1977. When asked to be a part of “Drawing from the Well – Taoscadh ón Tobar” it seemed timely to further educate myself on someone I had heard about all my life, and whose house I passed daily.

Seán’s style of singing was unique, he had a style all of his own, slow and unhurried, filled with variation and creativity. He would take a phrase and stretch it and mould it, changing notes and lingering over words in a way that seemed effortless. As part of the documentary I endeavoured to learn some songs, note for note as Seán sang them, and indeed it was far from effortless. He had a mastery of breath, word, and note and, through learning about his artistry of song, a whole world of possibility opened up to me. The words “preservation”, “conservation” and “pure drop” come up often when speaking of Sean-nós, but Seán was a creative artist who personalised his songs and thought nothing of changing phrases as it suited him. Perhaps this was the reason Seán Ó Riada, who spent a time living in Cloichear with the de hÓra’s and who cited de hÓra as a huge influence, said Seán was one of the greatest composers he had ever heard. Indeed, Ó Riada credited de hÓra with the composition of the beautiful “Caoineadh an Spailpín” on the record “Playboy of the Western World”.

Seán de hÓra grew up in a musical family. His mother Nóra was from the Blasket island of Inis Mhic Aoibhleáin and was a member of the famed Ó Dálaigh family of musicians to whom the iconic air “Port na bPúcaí” is linked. Her brothers Muiris “Dealaí” and Tom na hInise were two highly respected musicians in our community – Breánndán and Séamus Ó Beaglaoich often credited the source of their tunes as being from Dealaí. Seán’s father, also Seán, was a farmer from Cloichear, and came from a very musical family of singers. Seán was said to be most influenced by the singing of his grandfather on his father’s side. People came from far and wide to learn songs from Seán, songs like “An Brianach Óg”, “An Gamhain Geal Bán”, “Raghadsa’s is Mo Cheatí” and “An Bínsín Luachra”. They also came to learn Irish, and to immerse themselves in Irish culture. The poet Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill said of Seán after his passing in 1989 that he was one the most civilised and cultured people she had ever met.

Something else that became apparent in the making of this episode of Taoscadh ón Tobar was what a hugely important figure in the community Seán was. He was who people turned to when they needed help and he always made himself available. I heard of him healing animals, rescuing people in trouble at sea, his skill at finishing a hay stack, his generosity of spirit, and his wisdom. Many of my interviewees became emotional remembering this giant of a man.

Sadly, Seán’s wife Peig, with whom I had been visiting as part of my research in advance of filming, was unable to participate in the programme due to health reasons and sadly passed away before the documentary was complete. Shortly after the filming my own father, Feargal Mac Amhlaoibh, who features in the film, also died. As poignant as that is, I am so grateful I spent time with them both in the making of the piece about Seán. It shows how fleeting life is, and the importance of the work of ITMA in preserving and celebrating our native culture and heritage. Táim ana bhuíoch leo as an deis a bheith páirteach sa tsraith seo agus tá súil agam go mbaindfidh sibh taitneamh as.

Muireann Nic Amlaoibh, June 2024