An Poc ar Buile singer Seán Ó Sé dies at age of 89
One of the country's best known Irish traditional singers Seán Ó Sé has died.
Mr Ó Sé would have been 90 on Friday.
A renowned tenor singer, the retired schoolteacher was affectionately known as 'The Pucker' or 'An Pocar', a play on the comic song An Poc ar Buile which he made famous in a surprise 1962 hit single.
A gifted singer in Irish and English, he came to prominence in the 1960s with Irish composer and musician Séan Ó Riada's group, Ceoltóirí Chualann.
He later toured internationally with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann visiting Canada, the United States, Moscow, Shanghai and Havana.
A contributor to many radio and television programmes over the years, among those he recorded with are Donal Lunny, Dermot O'Brien and Peadar Ó Riada.
Seán Ó Sé pictured with Peadar Ó Riada in 2018
Born in 1936, he was a native of Ballylickey in County Cork, but home was Cork city for decades, where he finished his teaching career as principal of St Mary's on the Hill, in Knocknaheeny.
In 2021, Mr Ó' Sé was awarded the TG4 Amhránaí na Bliana/Singer of the Year Award at the annual Gradaim Ceoil event held in Belfast.
Last October, Mr Ó Sé received an honorary doctorate from UCC in recognition of his immense contribution to Irish traditional music and heritage.
Mr Ó Sé was predeceased by his wife Eileen last year.
He is survived by his three children, Áine, Con and Íde.
From the archives: Seán Ó Sé recording a new album in 1988
The Taoiseach Micheál Martin paid tribute to Mr Ó Sé and said that he was an iconic figure in Irish education, culture and traditional music.
"He was renowned for his singing performances, particularly for An Poc ar Buile, and did great work with Cór Cúil Aodha," he said.
"His friendship with the late Seán Ó Riada was a unique one. They had a very strong bond, and Seán was the definitive interpreter of Ó Riada's music.
"Many generations of Cork people will always associate him with All Ireland teams coming home, when he would invariably bring celebrations to a rousing conclusion with a stirring rendition of The Banks of My Own Lovely Lee."
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Fergal Dennehy, said that Mr Ó Sé was one of Cork's most recognisable cultural figures.
"Most recently, he featured in the Remember and Renew gala concert marking the close of the national Decade of Centenaries, performing alongside orchestras and choirs in a night dedicated to reflection, remembrance, and celebration of Cork’s history," he said.
"His presence at such significant civic occasions reflected not only his musical stature but his deep connection to the story of Cork and its people."
