The renowned musician, composer and arranger, Micheál Ó Súilleabháin, is to be crowned "Supreme Bard" of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2003 when the festival returns to his native town of Clonmel this August.
It is the first time in the history of the fleadh that such an honour is to be conferred and the performer will take a place of honour at all functions during the cultural festival.
Dr Ó Súilleabháin, who will be conferred with a civic reception by Clonmel Borough Council during the event, will also give a concert in his home town to kick-start the fleadh.
Professor of music at University of Limerick, Dr Ó Súilleabháin said he was honoured to be to be associated with the fleadh on its return to Clonmel.
"The fleadh is the heart of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. It is the biggest competitive festival of Irish traditional music in the world and has been since its inception," he said.
Comhaltas chief executive Senator Labhras Ó Murchú said it was appropriate that Micheál Ó Súilleabháin should be an integral part of the fleadh in his home town. Senator Ó Murchú said Comhaltas had demonstrated an ability to embrace all aspects of music.
This included traditional and developmental and the individual contribution to the music and personal creativity epitomised by Micheál Ó Súilleabháin.
"We have a bridge from the root of the music at the fireside to the performer on the international stage.
"We want to embrace it all and Micheál's role during the fleadh cheoil will symbolise that," he said.
Dr Ó Súilleabháin established the UCC Music Department as the first such educational body to work towards the integration of traditional and classical musicians within a shared curriculum.
He will be crowned Ard Ollamh (supreme bard) for the fleadh on August 19th.
The following day he will be accorded a civic reception by the Mayor of Clonmel, Cllr Phil Prendergast, and members of Clonmel Borough Council. Later that evening, he will perform in St Oliver's Church in the town for over 500 people.
The title of Ard Ollamh originated from early times, explains the past president of Comhaltas and one of the Clonmel event organisers, Mr Jim McCauley.
"From earliest times, the bardic schools flourished with their rigorous discipline of training in the musical and poetic arts. Over a period of 12 years the student studied and advanced through seven degrees of accomplishment to the coveted title of Ard Ollamh."