Naming of Patrick Cassidy Road, Claremorris by Mr Patrick Cassidy, Friday 20th May 2022
Date: 19-05-2022
The renaming of the road leading to Claremorris Railway Station has been raised on numerous occasions over the last few years. In early 2022, the initiative was discussed in the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District Chamber, where following approval by the elected members, the to rename the street was advertised on local press, requesting submissions. Following submissions from the public, the name Patrick Cassidy Road was chosen.
Patrick is currently in Mayo as part of the “Home to Mayo celebrations” and will perform the naming ceremony, tomorrow Friday, May 20th 2022 at 2pm.
About Patrick Cassidy
Renowned Irish composer, Patrick Cassidy was born in Claremorris, Co. Mayo in 1956. He came into prominence with the release of the 'Children of Lir' (the setting of the great legend), the first major symphonic work written in the Irish language. Recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra and the Tallis Choir, it remained at number one in the Irish Classical Charts for over a year.
He has worked in many various formats, including TV, opera, and film. His Aria Vide Cor Meum, commissioned by Han Zimmer, featured in the films Hannibal (2001) and Kingdom of Heaven (2005). Patrick is best known for his Narrative Cantatas - works he has written for Orchestra and Choir based on Irish Mythology.
The Cassidy family lived on Convent Road in Claremorris and his late father Colm, and mother Kathleen operated a Chemist shop on Dalton Street in the town. Patrick received a Degree in Applied Mathematics from Limerick University, and supported his early compositional activities with a day job as a statistician.
'Famine Remembrance', a commissioned piece to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Irish Famine was premiered in St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York in 1996. A recording of the piece was released the following year. The European premiere held in Claremorris, Co. Mayo in April 2012.
Other albums include 'Cruit', arrangements of 17th and 18th century Irish harp music with Cassidy as the soloist and 'Deirdre of the Sorrows', another Cantata in the Irish language recorded with The London Symphony Orchestra and The Tallis Choir.
In 2004 'Immortal Memory' was released; a collaboration between Cassidy and Lisa Gerrard who won a Golden Globe for 'Gladiator'.
Cassidy lives in Los Angeles where in addition to his concert work, he has scored and collaborated on films and documentaries. Notable credits include Hannibal, Veronica Guerin, Confessions of a Burning Man, Salem's Lot, King Arthur, Layer Cake, Che Guevara, Ashes and Snow, Kingdom of Heaven, The Front Line.
The aria Cassidy wrote for Hannibal, 'Vide Cor Meum', is the only piece by a living composer on Warner Classics 2006 compilation '40 Most Beautiful Arias'. It now features on many classical collections and performed by such luminaries as Katherine Jenkins and Sarah Brightman.
In June 2007 'Famine Remembrance' will be performed at the opening of Toronto's Ireland Park with the President of Ireland as special guest.
The Eligy from his Immortal Memory album featured in the Trailer for the Hollywood blockbuster - "Superman: Man of Steel".
Patrick was bestowed with the decoration of 'Cavaliere' (Knight) in the Order 'Stella d'Italia' by the Italian Government for his new opera Dante, celebrating the life of the great Italian philosopher and poet.
Patrick Cassidy most recent work a new setting of "The Mass" is an historic undertaking in the world of modern classical composition, communicating the aspirations of our time, our place and our culture in an unbroken musical tradition which has spanned a thousand years.
- First Latin Mass in the tradition of the "Great Masses" to be composed in over 100 years.
- Performed by the London Symphony Orchestra - Recorded and produced at Abbey Road Studios in London.
- Patrick's body of work reflects very much his personal journey as a composer.
- At a special concert ceremony, the Los Angeles's First Congregational Church premiered The Mass on 19 March 2022
- An excerpt of the mass can be viewed here
- Patrick was honoured at 147th St. Patrick’s Day Irish Day Civic Ceremonies, by the City of Los Angeles, bestowed with the “Irishman of the Year 2022”