'Homecoming' as Waldemar piano donated to Esker Arts
Esker Arts has recently received a donation of an upright Waldemar piano from the Murtagh/Connolly family.
The gift has been described as a homecoming of sorts, as the late Una Murtagh (nee Connolly) purchased the piano from Kilroy's in the 1960s.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.
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 Connolly family have a strong history in the arts and music sector. Una's brother Gerard Connolly studied at Trinity College London to become a concert pianist, playing in the National Concert Hall Dublin, the London West End, and touring America.
Another brother, Oliver Connolly, was a well-known art teacher in Tullamore, having taught children and adults for over 45 years. Una's sister Colette O’Sullivan is a regular patron of Esker Arts and has been a member of many arts organisations in Tullamore throughout the years.
"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," said Chairman of Esker Arts Conor Brady. "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."
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 and Garret, and Una's sister Colette O’Sullivan for the donation of this wonderful piano and for their ongoing support.