Seán Ó Sé is a native of Bantry, Co. Cork, where he was born into an Irish speaking family immersed in traditional music and song. He studied singing under the late John T. Horne at The Cork School of Music.

Seán had a long association with Seán Ó Riada, which began with their recording of An Poc ar Buile for Gael-Linn. He sang with Ó Riada on several radio and television programmes, most notably Fleadh Cheoil an Radio. He is featured on many of Ó Riada’s recordings including Ó Riada sa Gaiety and the film music of Rhapsody of a River and Kennedy’s Ireland.

Since Ó Riada’s death Seán has recorded with Donal Lunny, Dermot O’Brien and Peadar O’ Riada He has also featured on a number of Comhaltas Echoes of Erin CDs. 

In recent years he has toured in America, the UK and Moscow Shanghai and Havana with COMHALTAS. During the Fleadh a new CD with Comhaltas musicians titled “Idir Shean agus Nua” released.

As well as being an outstanding singer Seán is now recognised as a very humorous storyteller who captures the real Cork wit very successfully.

“We are honored to have none other than the well known Irish singer Séan Ó Sé. Seán has a long and wonderful story to tell. It will unfold during the course of the the week starting with a wonderful documentary by his good friend an accompanist of many years Matthew Allen of Wheaton College, Boston, MA”. – Artistic Director, Réidín Ó Flynn

A new film by Matthew Allen, “Seán Ó Sé: Saol Caite le hAmhráin agus Scéalta / A Life in Song and Story” which aired on Irish television channel TG4 on New Year’s Day 2016, will be shown at the Catskill Irish Arts Week in July. 

Seán Ó Sé’s long and illustrious career has touched all bases in the Irish music business spanning from his work in the 1960s in concert, radio, and recording with Seán Ó Riada and Ceoltóirí Chualann across to his many decades of musical performance and story telling in genres as diverse as variety concerts, céilí band, and cabaret. Seán’s musical life is explored within the contexts of his deep attachment to the Irish language, West Cork and Beara, and his passion for his career in teaching and education administration in Cork City. The film features live performances and interviews with longtime associates from the worlds of music and education.

Produced with the support of the UCC School of Music and Theatre, the Cork Film Centre, and Wheaton College, Massachusetts, USA. Contact: mallen@wheatoncollege.edu.