Fearghal Ó Ceallacháin RIP

Ó Ceallacháin, Fearghal (Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin and formerly of Turners Cross, Cork) 12th February 2026.

Ó Ceallacháin, Fearghal (Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin and formerly of Turners Cross, Cork) 12th February 2026.

Gently passed with his devoted family in the kind care of the staff in St. Vincent’s University Hospital. Beloved husband and best friend of Jackie and loving Dad of Cian, Lorcan and Aoife. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his wife, daughter, sons, daughter-in-law Stevie, son-in-law Jeff, cherished grandchildren Primrose and Oscar, sister Máire, brothers Conor and Éanna, brother-in-law Kevin, sisters-in-law Louise, Kate, Arabella and Debbie, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours, a wide circle of friends, Earl the dog, and his wonderful colleagues in the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

Over his career Fearghal Ó Ceallacháin, a long-time member of the RTE Concert Orchestra, was a successful Irish and international freelance player and a member of the RTÉ SO, the Irish Chamber Orchestra and the European Community Chamber Orchestra. Prior to becoming a full time professional player, Fearghal completed a degree in Applied Psychology at UCC and studied horn in Cork, Dublin and London and was also a founder member of the European Community Youth Orchestra under Claudio Abbado. 

His time in the RTÉ CO saw it expand its brief from a studio based ensemble to one that strives to appeal to all strands of the general public. Fearghal enjoyed working in this public service ethos of bringing a broad range of classical, traditional and light/popular music to the maximum number of people through live radio and TV broadcasts, an online presence, international tours (most recently a five-city tour of China including classical and Irish traditional elements) and most importantly direct contact with Irish audiences as near to their home place as possible whether it be classical chamber orchestra repertoire at Clifden Arts Festival, Culture Night at Dublin Castle or the palpable energy charge of thousands of young people at live 2FM Jenny Greene dance concerts at Electric Picnic.