Sean Doherty, composer from Co Donegal and Heather Brett, poet are working on the new music commission for performance at the celebration of the Geopark Interpretative Centre Launch on Saturday, 21 June.  

Sean has previously won the Feis Ceoil Composition Competition, the Giles’s Cathedral Edinburgh and a number of other competitions and beat off stiff competition from established composers to produce this piece of music for Cavan. 

Sean is working with established poet and editor Heather Brett who is writing a new poem for the music composition.   Heather is best known as editor of Windows Publications with Noel Monahan and her work in education and creative writing particularly promoting poetry with young audiences.  

Heather and Noel have jointly managed the Windows Poetry Competition for 21 years and this national competition along with their annual publications has brought many new voices to literature in Cavan.

Sean and Heather recently visited the Geopark with Grainne O’Connor, Cavan Geopark and Anne Marie Curley, Heritage Officer to learn expert insights into the many wonders, hidden and visible at the West Cavan Burren.   This experience inspired the creative energies of the poet and the composer.

Sean held a workshop with the County Choir who will perform the newly commissioned piece.   The Choir were challenged and enthralled at this new approach for them to composing music.   Choral Director Blanaid Murphy will work on this new music with the Choir on Thursday from 1 May until the performance on June 21.  

We look forward to the performance on 21 June in the Geopark as part of a day of celebrations of the beauty of the West Cavan landscape.   Other musical, education and entertainment will be provided including a performance by Cavan Big Band who are fast growing a reputation in Cavan and nationally.

More details to follow!