Death of renowned musician Noel Kelehan

The death has taken place of Noel Kelehan at the age of 76. A former Musical Director at RTÉ and conductor of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Noel Kelehan was for many years one of Ireland's best-known and most highly regarded musicians. He was a renowned conductor, jazz pianist, arranger and composer, as well as being known to TV audiences throughout Europe as conductor of many Irish entries to the Eurovision Song Contest between 1966 and 1998. He is survived by his wife Mary, his daughter Carol and his sons Simon and Brian.
Born on St Stephen's Day 1935 in Dublin, Noel Kelehan was self-taught as a composer and arranger, having received a classical training in piano theory and harmony. He was an accomplished jazz pianist with a special affection for the great Miles Davis quintet of the 1950s, and from the 1960s onwards played in quartets and quintets with musicians like Louis Stewart, Jimmy McKay, Mike Nolan, Keith Donald and John Wadham.
Noel Kelehan for many years had a very strong relationship with RTÉ generally and with RTÉ Television in particular, in addition to his work with the Performing Groups through the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. He arranged the musical accompaniments for the many singers who performed on RTÉ TV Entertainment shows across several decades, and also wrote the string arrangements for U2's 1984 breakthrough album The Unforgettable Fire.

He is most famous for being the conductor of many Irish entries to the Eurovision Song Contest, beginning in 1966 and ending in 1998. He conducted five winning Irish entries, in 1980 (What's Another Year?), 1987 (Hold Me Now), 1992 (Why Me?), 1993 (In Your Eyes) and 1996 (The Voice). In 1994, the winning song was performed without orchestral accompaniment. Still, an entry rated 2nd that year, To nie ja! performed by Edyta Górniak from Poland, was conducted by Noel. In total, Noel Kelehan conducted 29 Eurovision entries, 24 of them Irish. He retired as conductor in 1998.

Reacting to news of his death, Anthony Long, General Manager of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, said: "We wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Noel's family. He will be much missed by RTÉ and particularly the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, with whom he had a very special relationship for over 30 years as a conductor, composer, arranger and not least a remarkable player. Ireland has lost a great talent. May he rest in peace."

Director General Noel Curran said: "Through his work with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, on Television and above all at so many Eurovision Song Contests, Noel Kelehan became indelibly associated with Music at RTÉ and with musical excellence as an expression of Ireland's confident participation in the wider world. He was greatly liked by his many colleagues in RTÉ who knew him as a warm person and as tremendous company. He will be missed by all who knew him."