Noel Culleton’s book shines a light on women composers in history

Former RTE newsreader and Wexford ambassador Anne Doyle will launch a new book called Classical Women by Dr Noel Culleton in Wexford town library on Thursday, July 14 at 7 pm.

The book which took more than three years to research and write incorporates the amazing stories of 26 women composers from a 1,000-year span of history, who, despite huge obstacles broke down barriers in the male-dominated world of music.

It is Noel’s third book in a series on classical composers, the last one being Classical Connections which Anne Doyle launched three years ago.

The 180-page book was illustrated by David Mahon and during a promotion on Wexford quays, he and Noel were serenated by three musical sisters from the traditional Bailiú group – Ann Wickham on flue, Alice McIntyre nee Wickham on violin and Liz Wickham on tin whistle.

Noel credits a number of people with being advisers on the publication including musician and Kilmore native, Maria Noelle Creevey,; designer John Gibney of Enniscorthy; editor of the Ireland’s Own Anthology Phil Murphy and communications consultant Declan Lyons of Arthurstown and Glenageary.

Dr Culleton is a former chief executive of the agricultural research institute at Johnstown Castle and helped to formulate Irish/EU policy on water quality and climate change.

David Mahon is an architect in Wexford town and a founder of the Dear Illustrator art studio. He has worked as an architect and artist in the US, New Zealand and Japan and has overseen design-build projects in Africa and the Pacific Islands. He is due to leave shortly on a two-month project in Jakarta, Indonesia.