Road to be named after a favourite son of Claremorris
A ROAD in Claremorris is to be named after Los Angeles-based composer Patrick Cassidy, a native of the town.
Cassidy has written scores for numerous Hollywood films and his other works include the score for the RTÉ series 1916 - The Irish Rebellion and his acclaimed Famine Remembrance, commissioned to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Irish Famine.
He will bring his first summer school to Claremorris later this month.
Members of the public were invited to propose names for the L15193, which links Claremorris Railway Station to Mount Street.
Councillors at a local municipal district meeting were told six submissions were received suggesting it be named after Patrick Cassidy.
The decision was one for councillors to make and Councillor Tom Connolly proposed it be named the Patrick Cassidy Road, which was seconded by Councillor Richard Finn, who said he was a favourite son of Claremorris, who was internationally recognised for his music.
Patrick Cassidy has contributed much to the promotion of Claremorris down through the years, said Councillor Finn, and naming a road after him was a very positive approach.
Since moving to Los Angeles after making a name for himself with renowned Irish themed works such as Deirdre of the Sorrows and Children of Lir, Patrick Cassidy's career progressed to writing musical scores for such high-profile movies as Hannibal, Kingdom of Heaven, and Calvary, which was filmed on location in Easkey, Co. Sligo.
His most recent work - a new setting of The Mass - is a historic undertaking in the world of modern classical composition, communicating the aspirations of our time, our place and our culture in an unbroken musical tradition which has spanned a thousand years.
The composer was born in Claremorris in 1956.
The Cassidy family lived on Convent Road and his late father Colm and mother Kathleen operated a chemist shop on Dalton Street in the town.
Patrick received a Degree in Applied Mathematics from Limerick University, and supported his early compositional activities with a day job as a statistician.
Last month he was honoured at the St. Patrick’s Day civic ceremonies by the City of Los Angeles when bestowed with the title Irishman of the Year 2022.