Geraldine O'Grady, the celebrated violinist and former leader of the RTÉ Symphony Orchestra, has died at the age of 93.
Born on the 18th October 1932, Ms O'Grady was raised in the musical O'Grady family in Dublin.
Having been awarded a government scholarship to study in France, Ms O'Grady was the first Irish artist to graduate from the Paris Conservatoire as student of Jean Fournier.
She graduated from the Conservatoire in 1955, winning three prizes from an international jury headed by the Belgian virtuoso violinist Arthur Grumiaux.
The violinist then returned to Ireland and was appointed as the leader of the RTÉ Symphony Orchestra – now National Symphony Orchestra Ireland – from 1959 to 1963.
Over the years Ms O'Grady enjoyed acclaimed and successful musical collaborations with her sisters, cellist Moya, pianist Eily and fellow violinist Sheila O'Grady.
Geraldine O'Grady recorded albums of Irish airs with her sister Eily O'Grady and they successfully toured the United States many times with Eily's husband, the tenor Frank Patterson.
Ms O'Grady had a highly successful solo career too and performed as recitalist and soloist with the Boston Pops, the Kansas City Philharmonic, and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, among others.
She made many solo recordings for the Philips label, and was in demand on the international stage, performing in Carnegie Hall and across the United States, Europe and beyond.
Many noted composers including Philip Martin, Brian Boydell, Gerard Victory, John Kinsella and James Wilson wrote works for Ms O'Grady.
She played these in her recital programmes along with the Irish airs she so valued, many of which were arranged by TC Kelly.
One of these, The Lark in the Clear Air, was the signature tune of Ciarán Mac Mathúna’s RTÉ radio programme Mo Cheol Thú for 35 years.
Frank Patterson on the RTÉ series For Your Pleasure in 1978.
Geraldine O’Grady married the actor and writer Des Keogh, 60 years ago in 1965 and they were a prominent couple on the national stage for many decades.
She also performed regularly in a violin duo with her daughter Oonagh Keogh and as a recitalist with pianists including Veronica McSwiney, Philip Martin and Charles Lynch.
Ms O'Grady was awarded an honorary doctorate by the National University of Ireland and a fellowship by the Royal Irish Academy of Music, where she taught for many years.
On her 80th birthday, in 2012, Michael D Higgins, as president, paid tribute to O’Grady’s artistic contribution to Irish society.
"There is no doubt that the Irish world of music owes her an enormous debt of gratitude," the former President said.
Geraldine O'Grady has passed, God Rest Her. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/VqmdlHFWzc
— Marty Whelan (@martylyricfm) November 12, 2025
A regular on RTÉ television and radio, Ms O'Grady's many television highlights included hosting her own prime time television series on RTE 1 (Strings In The Air 1987), Frank Patterson's For Your Pleasure (1970s) and many TV specials and radio broadcasts.
Ms. O Grady influenced countless generations of Irish artists through her dedication to her craft and leaves an enduring legacy on the Irish music community.
Geraldine O'Grady died on Tuesday, 11th November in Dublin, and is survived by her beloved husband Des, daughter Oonagh, her sister Sheila and a wide circle of loving musical colleagues and friends.
