Barry Kerr announced as Traditional Artist in Residence at UCC

The Arts Council has named Barry Kerr as Traditional Artist in Residence at University College Cork today.

The council, in association with The College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences (UCC) and the School of Film, Music, and Theatre (UCC) have appointed the renowned musician, composer and visual artist for 2023.

As part of the role, Barry Kerr will deliver a series of concerts, workshops, and classes over the course of his one-year residency, beginning in January 2023.

Barry will be hosted by The Department of Music at UCC where the study of Irish traditional music and dance has been pioneered for a century. Irish Traditional Music is a key part of the Music Department’s identity, occupying a prominent place in its music curricula, alongside classical music, popular music, jazz, contemporary music, Javanese Gamelan, and various world musics.

Kerr will be warmly welcomed by a team of internationally recognised traditional artists who include Máire Ní Chéileachair, Bobby Gardiner, Connie O’Connell, Conal Ó Gráda, Colm Murphy, Niall Vallely, Karan Casey, Mary Mitchell-Ingoldsby and Jack Talty.

The multi-instrumentalist's creative work expresses the very heart of Irish life, with Barry enjoying a long and successful career as a touring artist in his time. He has also shared a stage with some of the greatest performers in Irish music.

An acclaimed composer, his tunes and songs have been recorded by Karan Casey, Flook, Beoga and Brian Finnegan, to name but a few. Barry was awarded the prestigious Liam O’Flynn award from the National Concert Hall and the Arts Council in 2020 and he subsequently released Cairn, an album of original compositions.

He has played on some of the most prestigious stages in the world, from Radio City Music Hall in New York to the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles and has multiple arena tours under his belt. Kerr has also performed as principal uilleann piper on a symphony orchestra tour of the United States with Celtic Thunder under the direction of conductor David Brophy.

His recent work explores the concept of relating visual art with musical performance and composition, as seen in his film Fuascail, a unique creative contemplation on the decade of centenaries in sound and colour released on TG4 in December 2022.

"I want the feelings between the notes and the colours and shapes on canvas to draw out emotion, to let the frequencies of sound and colour connect us with our past," Barry said of the project. "A meditation really, a moment to think on what went before, what is happening now and what is to come. An intimate resolution."