Local family donates piano to Esker Arts in Tullamore

ESKER ARTS in Tullamore has been delighted to receive the donation of an upright Waldemar piano from the Murtagh/Connolly family.

Chairman of the board of Esker Arts, Conor Brady, Artistic Director Sean Walsh, and Cllr. Declan Harvey accepted the donation from family relative Colette O’ Sullivan at the latest board meeting of Esker Arts.

The late Una Murtagh, nee Connolly, purchased the piano from Kilroy’s in the 1960s. The donation of the piano marks a homecoming of sorts as Esker Arts now occupies the former Kilroy’s building following a major renovation and extension supported by Offaly County Council, The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, The Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, and Tullamore Community Arts Centre, which was completed in 2023.

The Connolly family have a strong history in the arts and music sector. Gerard Connolly, brother of Una, studied at Trinity College London to become a concert pianist, playing in the National Concert Hall Dublin, the London West End, and touring America. Oliver Connolly, also brother to Una and Gerard, was a well-known art teacher in Tullamore, having taught children and adults for over 45 years. Colette O’ Sullivan, sister of Una, Gerard, and Oliver, is a regular patron Esker Arts and has been a member of many arts organisations in Tullamore throughout the years.

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"Esker Arts was delighted to accept Colette's generous offer of her family piano. It will be used productively - and treasured - here at the Centre. I was intrigued to hear from her that it was "coming home." It was bought more than 60 years ago in Kilroy's here in High Street, where Esker Arts is now located. Thank you, Collette. Your family's musical heirloom will be played well into the future.", Conor Brady, Chairman of the board of Esker Arts.

Esker Arts will undertake to refurbish the piano and make it available to artists and musicians performing at the centre. The team at Esker Arts would like to thank the family of Una and Patrick Murtagh, their children Hilary, Justin, & Garret, and sister of Una, Colette O’ Sullivan for the donation of this wonderful piano and for their ongoing support.

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