By editor - 07 September, 2016
RTE Television and Radio are set to broadcast live a new Mass setting by an Irish composer/musician which pays tribute to St Michael’s Church in Portarlington.
The work, titled ‘St Michael’s Celebration’, is penned by Portarlington born singer, songwriter, and pianist Tom Conroy (Piano Man Tom).
Work on the new music and hymns began in the middle of 2015 and was completed in August 2016.
According to Tom Conroy, “St Michael’s Church is a towering presence on Patrick Street in Portarlington and continues to be an inspirational place of prayer and worship for anyone who enters.”
Portarlington’s population has increased substantially over the last decade and according to the composer, “Many new faces have been warmly embraced by the community and by the church.”
This is the second Mass setting that Tom Conroy has composed.
‘The Brittas Mass’ was created in Clonaslee, Co Laois from 2011-2013 and was broadcast live on RTE One TV in July, 2013 as part of a special mass in honour of the bicentenary of St Manman’s Church in Clonaslee.
This new Mass setting is scheduled for live broadcast on RTE One TV and RTE Radio 1 Extra on 30 October.
Fr Pat Hughes will lead the worship and St Michael’s Folk Choir will feature singers from Portarlington, as well as from Clonaslee and the surrounding areas in Co Laois and Co Offaly.
After over a year’s work, Tom also recently released his second full studio album of his own original songs called ‘Make A Wish’, which features the popular ‘Diana’s Royal Child’ as well as nine other songs.
For more information: www.PianoManTom.com
