In the words of the artist’s wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, “Turlough O Carolan was a 17 century blind Irish harpist and composer who travelled the country, usually writing songs or ‘planxties’ to celebrate his hosts. He was known as the ‘Irish Mozart’ and was a huge influence on the 1960’s Irish composer Sean O Riada, who combined traditional Irish and classical styles. Sean O Riada formed The Chieftains who popularised Irish traditional music all over the world. O Riada was known in particular for his majestic and sumptuous string arrangements.These were an important influence on Shane’s song writing, in particular songs like ‘Fairytale of New York’. In this drawing, Carolan is depicted apparently ‘seeing’ an angel, which he was known to be able to do, despite being blind."