Shaun Davey facts for kids

Shaun Davey is a famous Irish composer, born on January 18, 1948. He is known for creating beautiful music, especially large pieces that tell stories about Irish history and culture. His music often blends traditional Irish sounds with classical orchestra styles.

Shaun Davey's Early Life

Shaun Davey was born in Belfast in 1948. He went to Rockport School in County Down. Later, he studied the history of art at Trinity College, Dublin, graduating in 1971. He continued his studies in London, earning a master's degree. In the late 1970s, Shaun made his first music recording called Davey and Morris. He also wrote music for many advertisements, like for 7up and the Bank of Ireland.

Music About Ireland's History

Shaun Davey is well-known for four big musical works. These pieces tell stories from Irish history and often feature the uilleann pipes, a traditional Irish instrument.

The Brendan Voyage

The Brendan Voyage (1980) tells the story of explorer Tim Severin. In 1978, Severin sailed from Ireland across the Atlantic Ocean to Newfoundland. He did this in a leather boat called a currach. This journey was a recreation of one that Saint Brendan was said to have made long ago. In the music, the uilleann pipes represent the small boat. The rest of the orchestra shows the ocean, islands, and wildlife Severin encountered.

The Pilgrim

The Pilgrim (1983) is set in an old, medieval world. It describes how Irish, Breton, and Scottish people explored the seas of western Europe. There are two versions of this work. The first was recorded in 1983, and an expanded version was made in the 1990s.

Granuaile

Granuaile (1985) shares the exciting story of Gráinne O'Malley. She was a famous Irish pirate queen from the 1500s. This musical piece has more songs than Davey's earlier works. It features the amazing voice of Rita Connolly, who later married Shaun Davey.

The Relief of Derry Symphony

The Relief of Derry Symphony (1990) is a more traditional symphony. It is based on the Siege of Derry from the 1600s. This music shows the different groups of people involved in the siege. Unlike his other works, this one uses a Scottish bagpipe band instead of uilleann pipes.

Other Musical Works

Shaun Davey has created many other recordings and special projects.

May We Never Have To Say Goodbye

The album May We Never Have To Say Goodbye was released in 2003. It was a collaboration with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and many famous artists. The title song was written for the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Croke Park in June 2003. It was performed by Rita Connolly and Ronan Tynan. The album also includes music from The Pilgrim and songs from film scores, like "Fill to me the Parting Glass" from Waking Ned.

Beal Tuinne

Beal Tuinne – Live at St. James' church Dingle is a collection of songs. Shaun Davey composed these songs using poems by the late Kerry Poet Caoimhín Ó Cinnéide. On this recording, Davey is joined by his wife Rita Connolly and other musicians from Dingle.

Voices from the Merry Cemetery

Voices from the Merry Cemetery (2009) is a suite of songs. These songs are based on the unique grave inscriptions from the Merry Cemetery in Săpânța, a village in Romania. For this live recording, Davey worked again with Rita Connolly and Liam O'Flynn. He also collaborated with a Romanian men's choir and parts of the Romanian State Philharmonia orchestra.

Shaun Davey as a Film Composer

Shaun Davey has composed music for many films and television shows.

Film Scores

His most famous film music is for Waking Ned Devine (1998). He also wrote scores for movies like Twelfth Night, The Tailor of Panama, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Television Music

For television, he composed the music for The Hanging Gale (BBC), which won an Ivor Novello award. He also wrote the theme music for Ballykissangel.

Theatre Music

In 2000, Shaun Davey worked on a musical for Broadway called James Joyce's The Dead. His music for this play was nominated for a Tony.

Selected Music Works

Here are some of Shaun Davey's notable music releases:

Film Soundtracks

• Twelfth Night (1996)
• Waking Ned (1998)
• The Tailor of Panama (2001)
• The Abduction Club (2002)

Television Soundtracks

• The Hanging Gale (1995)
• Ballykissangel (1997)

Theatre Soundtracks

• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1999)

Orchestral Suites

• The Brendan Voyage (1980)
• The Pilgrim (1983)
• Granuaile (1985)
• The Relief of Derry Symphony (1990)
• May We Never Have To Say Goodbye (2003)
• Voices from the Merry Cemetery (2009)