This Saturday marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Ceoltóirí Chualann concert held in Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre on 30 March 1969. The concert was a commemoration of the poet Peadar Ó Doirnín (c. 1700–1769) and featured the premiere of the now-famous song ‘Mná na hÉireann’ which was composed by Seán Ó Riada to the words of a poem by Peadar Ó Doirnín.

Other outstanding performances were ‘Marcshlua Uí Néill’ (later adapted to ‘Dearg Doom’ by Horslips) and the resounding finale ‘Ríl Mhór Bhaile an Chalaidh’.

Performers on the night included Seán Ó Riada, Seán Ó Sé, Martin Fay, Sean Keane, John Kelly, Paddy Moloney, Seán Potts, Micheal Tubridy, Éamon de Buitléar and Peadar Mercier.

This concert was released by Gael Linn in 1970 as the best-selling LP entitled Ó Riada sa Gaiety, and in 2005 Gael Linn released a remastered digital recording on CD which included additional tracks from the concert (oriadacd01).

A programme featuring Seán Ó Sé and Michael Tubridy will be broadcast on RTÉ Ráidió na Gaeltachta on 29 March at 12.08pm to commemorate the event.

Ar RTÉ Raidio na Gaeltachta amárach (29 Márta idir 12:08 - 13:00), beidh clár comórtha ag An Saol Ó Dheas, ina mbeidh Seán Ó Sé agus Michael Tubridy le cloisteáil.