President extends condolences to family of young pianist who died on trip

PRESIDENT Michael D. Higgins has issued his condolences to the family of a ‘talented pianist’ whose body was found in a Slovenian lake. 

Seán Shannon in his late teens and from Ennis, Clare was holidaying in Bled, Slovenia when his body was discovered near Lake Bled on Saturday, August 19. 

Seán was reported missing on the evening of Friday, August 18. Police, firefighters and underwater rescue services attended the scene. According to a spokesperson, “divers soon found the body in the depths of Lake Bled, not far from the coast”.

President Higgins has issued a statement a short time ago, where he recalls meeting Seán in his hometown in Clare in 2018: “While still only 18, Seán had already exhibited a fantastic musical ability, having commenced his learning of the piano as a self-taught pianist. 

“Indeed, I remember meeting Seán when he performed at an event which I attended at Glór Theatre to mark the 50th anniversary of ClareCare. 

“At the time, Seán was a second year student in Ennis Community College and was already distinguishing himself with his abilities, which he was sharing with a public that recognised the unique and extraordinary talent that he possessed.

“I extend my deepest sympathies to Seán’s parents, Cecilia and Frank, to his siblings, and to all his friends and fellow performers.”

The tragic news comes as a ‘horrendous shock’, as one local councillor says Seán was a ‘child prodigy’: “Seán was very well liked. He was a very kind, gentle and mild young man, with an amazing talent. His family would be old Ennis stock and well known,” said Cllr Mary Howard. 

“He really was a child prodigy. It’s a physical pain and feeling for the family. I know his parents and siblings and they were so proud of him. They’re a really, really close family. It’s just devastating for them,” Cllr Howard said.

Claiming the title of Glór’s Young Associate Artist of 2022, Seán began playing piano at 14. 

Seán recently featured on an RTÉ programme entitled ‘Face the Music’, which followed a number of students and teachers at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, where he was studying a Bachelor in Music Performance on an entrance scholarship.