Lumen - The Eklego Ensemble

In 2022, Conor featured in the third and final concert in a trilogy devised by Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin with the National Symphony Orchestra (Elver Gleams, 2017; Between Worlds, 2018). Lumen featured some of Mícheál’s most significant and popular orchestral works conducted by David Brophy and performed by a host of leading names including sean-nós singers Iarla Ó Lionáird, Lillis Ó Laoire and Síle Denvir; flute player Mike McGoldrick; saxophonist Kenneth Edge; traditional percussionist Mel Mercier; uilleann piper Mark Redmond; fiddlers Liz Doherty, Zoë Conway, Aidan O’Donnell and Katie Boyle and cellist Neil Martin.

In honouring Mícheál’s lasting legacies as both UL and UCC, Professor Mel Mercier, formed The Eklego Ensemble from graduates of both institutions. The line-up included alongside Mel, Karl Nesbitt on flute, Conor Arkins and Claire Egan on fiddles, Paul Clesham on concertina and Niamh O’Brien on harp. The arranged repertoire drew on pivotal projects throughout Mícheál’s educational career.

As part of the two sold out shows at the National Concert Hall Dublin and the University Concert Hall Limerick, Red Shoe Productions produced the biographical documentary Between Worlds, about Mícheál that featured the ensemble in rehearsals at the University of Limerick.