An Poc Ar Buile: The Life and Times of Seán Ó Sé

By Seán Ó Sé and Patricia Ahern

In 1962 Seán Ó Sé recorded ‘An Poc ar Buile’ with Seán Ó Riada and Ceoltóirí Chualann. It proved a huge success and resulted in seven wonderful years working with Ó Riada and over sixty years of singing. Born in 1936, Seán grew up in west Cork not far from where his parents taught at Coomhola Boys’ School near Bantry. Following in his parents’ footsteps, Seán trained as a teacher and became Principal in Knocknaheeny on Cork city’s north side, remaining there until his retirement in 1993.

Also recounted is Seán meeting his beloved Eileen, their family life and his struggle with cancer.

Throughout it all, he sang. His singing career had taken off in 1959 when he won the traditional singing competition in Feis na Mumhan. It brought him to faraway places he could never have imagined growing up near Ballylickey in west Cork.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Collins Press
• Release date: Sep 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781848895003

Seán Ó Sé

Seán Ó Sé is a renowned Irish traditional singer and former primary school teacher. He has performed all over the world and is particularly well known for his recording of ‘An Poc ar Buile’ and for his collaboration with Seán Ó Riada. Born in Ballylickey near Bantry in County Cork, he lived most of his life in Cork city, where he still resides today.