Liadh Ní Riada visits University College Cork hall named after her father, composer Seán Ó Riada

» Darren O'Keeffe

‘I hope that my father’s legacy inspires students of today. Above all, he had a deep and sincere love for Irish music and culture’

LIADH NÍ  RIADA, Sinn Féin EU candidate for Ireland South, has spoken of the ‘poignancy’ of her visit to a hall in University College Cork’s Music Department named in honour of her late father, Seán Ó Riada.

“It was poignant moment for me personally,” Liadh said later. “There is a legacy to the name Seán Ó Riada but to seven children he is our father. So you have to balance out all the images and facets of his life.

“I am proud of his achievements and that there is a hall named after him in University College Cork.

“I hope that his legacy inspires students of today. Above all, he had a deep and sincere love for Irish music and culture.

“I think that is my own enduring understanding of my father.

“He loved composing. He loved Irish music.

“That was my main thought as I looked around the hall.”

Liadh was on the campus this week to fulfil a number of engagements including an address at AGM of the university’s Europa Society.