TRIBUTES WERE paid yesterday to the driving force behind the Willie Clancy Summer School over the past four decades, Muiris Ó Rócháin, who has died.
Administrative director of the summer school and long-time friend Harry Hughes said yesterday that “Muiris leaves behind a tremendous legacy to Miltown Malbay and to Irish music and culture in general”.
The 67-year-old Dingle native suffered a stroke last year and Mr Hughes said “people were delighted to see Muiris at a number of events at the summer school this year even though he was in a wheelchair.
“Muiris bore his illness with tremendous courage and dignity.”
Along with Martin Talty and Breandán Breathnach, Mr Ó Rócháin established the summer school in 1972 in memory of their friend, celebrated piper Willie Clancy.
The school today attracts traditional Irish musicians, singers and dancers from around the world and provides an annual economic boost to the west Clare town of Miltown Malbay on the first week of every July.
Former Clare mayor and current local councillor Christy Curtin (Ind) said yesterday: “Muiris had the vision and foresight to set up the school and he leaves behind a fantastic legacy.
“The school has stood the tests of time.”
Mr Curtin said: “Muiris was a scholar and a teacher, but was a man of the people.
“He was very unassuming, but had a brilliant mind and had the respect of people throughout west and north Clare.”
Mr Hughes said: “Muiris was an educator in the broadest sense. He taught maths and Irish at St Joseph’s secondary school at Spanish Point, but he had a great interest in Irish folklore, music and culture.”
