Background
Ó Con Cheanainn was born in Galway.
Ó Con Cheanainn was born in Galway.
He studied at National University of Ireland Galway, graduating in 2002 with first class honours in Irish and geography. In 2003 he was awarded an Master of Arts at University College Dublin having completed his thesis, "Gnéithe de Sheachadadh na nAmhrán Traidisiúnta sa Ghaeilge." The following year he completed his thesis "Clár Amhrán Chois Fharraige", securing an Master of Letters in Modern Irish.
The National University of Ireland in 2004 awarded him a travelling studentship in Celtic Studies, and he spent two years at Edinburgh University’s school of Scottish studies. He represented Ireland at the International Pan-Celtic Festival in 1999 and 2000, taking first prize on both occasions. His published work includes entries for The Encyclopaedia of Music in Ireland and Leabhar Mór na hAmhrán (both forthcoming), and articles and reviews for the Journal of Music in Ireland.
He made a number of recordings of his singing, and had recently participated in the Cumann Merriman winter school.
Ciarán had recently been appointed to a lectureship in Modern Irish at University College Dublin, and was looking forward to the completion of his doctoral thesis and the publication of two substantial books on the singing tradition of his native Conamara. Ciarán died suddenly on 4 February 2009 at 27 years of age.
He was a member of the committee of An Cumann le Béaloideas Éireann, and served on the board of Comhar for six years.