Lament for Art O’Leary is a contemporary opera that reimagines one of Ireland’s most powerful expressions of grief, love and defiance. 

Born from Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill’s lament following the murder of her husband Art O’Leary in 1773, it is transformed through composer Irene Buckley’s haunting score with text by poet Vona Groarke.

Set in Fartha, this presentation began at the Hedge Theatre with an exploration of keening, before moving indoors for a concert by the Kinsale Arts Weekend Ensemble, featuring members of the Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra with lead violinist Katherine Hunka, conductor Gary Beecher, and voices from the MTU CSM Opera Lab Ensemble.

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