Michael Holohan

Michael Holohan (born 27 March 1956) is an Irish composer.

Biography Michael Holohan was born in Drumcondra, Dublin.

Music Holohan has composed for solo instrument, ensemble, orchestra, stage, choir and voice, and has collaborated with poets including Seamus Heaney, Tomas Tranströmer, Ivan Lalic and Paul Durcan.

Critical reception and recognition Holohan’s work has been reviewed in Irish music journalism. Writing in The Journal of Music following a National Concert Hall composers’ showcase, Benedict Schlepper-Connolly described The Dream of Aengus as demonstrating Holohan’s “orchestrational control”, and characterised Portrait of the Artist as “captivating”, while noting the influence of traditional Irish music within his choral writing.

Regional press coverage has also documented performances and recordings of his work, including reports on the release of the piano album Fields of Blue and White and concerts of his music in Drogheda.

Selected works Orchestral Cromwell (1994) Leaves of Glass (1995) Building Bridges (1995)

Ensemble Triangulum (1977) Macehead (1992) A Snail in my Prime (2000) – with text by Paul Durcan

Choir An Stoirm, Bagairt na Marbh and Sos (1981–84) – with texts by Seán Ó Riordáin Anahorish and Oracle (1988) – with texts by Seamus Heaney Mass of Fire (1995) Quis est Deus? (2001) In the Empty Hills (2009) – with text by Wang Wei

Voice Kubla Khan (1974) Thomas McDonagh (1987) – with text by Francis Ledwidge The Given Note (1989) – with text by Seamus Heaney The Potter's Field (1990) – with text by Ivan Lalic

Solo By a River (1985), for piano Aoise (1988), for piano The Road to Lough Swilly (2001), for uilleann pipes Monaincha (2002), for piano

Stage Running Beast (2007) – with text by Donal O'Kelly Where a Single Footprint Lasts a Thousand Years (2009) – with text by Ernest Shackleton and Bill Manhire

Electro-acoustic The Source (1990) July 23rd Dawn (1990)

Select discography A River of Memories (1999) Fields of Blue and White (2010) The Road to Lough Swilly (2019)