Fr Pat Ahern (b. 1932)

Moyvane in North Kerry is the homeplace of Pat Ahern, who was born into a farming family there. He was educated initially in Listowel, then at St Brendan’s College Killarney and he studied for the priesthood at Maynooth. He discusses his early introduction to an appreciation of music, when he joined the choir at Maynooth. His first appointment as a priest was to Tralee, and shortly afterwards the Bishop of Kerry made a decision to send the young priest to UCC to study for a B.Mus. degree under Professor Fleischmann, who was a great inspiration to the young man. He discusses his early involvement with the performing arts in Tralee, and the setting up of Siamsa Tíre, of which he became director. Music and dance are his passions and he describes the roots of these passions and their great importance in his life and career. He is now retired from the directorship of Siamsa Tíre and is content that the present generation is continuing to nurture the performing arts in Kerry.