Editing Bill Whelan (section)

==Biography==
Whelan is a native of [[Limerick]] city, and was educated at [[Crescent College]].<ref name=UL>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ul.ie/ceremonies/bill-whelan|title=Bill Whelan|date=19 February 2021|website=[[UL.ie]]}}</ref> He gained his Bachelor of Civil Law degree at [[University College Dublin]] in 1973 and then went to [[King's Inns]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pianofestival.ie/bill_whelan.html|title=Dublin International Piano Festival & Summer Academy &#124; Bill Whelan &#124; Faculty 2015|website=PianoFestival.ie }}</ref><ref name="Brophy">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/bill-whelan-and-david-brophy-i-m-always-learning-from-bill-h5gljn2md|title=Bill Whelan and David Brophy: 'I'm always learning from Bill' |first=Andrea |last=Smith |work=[[Sunday Times (Ireland edition)|Sunday Times]]|url-access=subscription|id={{gale|A718045934}}}}</ref> In 2011, Whelan was awarded the UCD Foundation Day Medal in recognition of his outstanding achievements and his contribution to Irish music worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UCD Foundation Day Medal for Grammy Award winner, Bill Whelan|access-date=2022-08-31|website=[[UCD.ie]] |url=https://www.ucd.ie/news/2011/11NOV11/071111-UCD-Foundation-Day-Medal-for-Grammy-Award-winner-Bill-Whelan.html }}</ref> While he is best known for his "[[Riverdance (song)|Riverdance]]" composition and the theatrical show [[Riverdance|of the same name]], Whelan has been involved in many ground-breaking projects in Ireland since the 1970s. In his autobiography, he especially mentions the major influence of [[James W. Flannery]].<ref>Flannery gave me a sense that my work as a composer was valuable, and he encouraged me in every way he could.  He praised the work.  Even though I was slow to believe it, he convinced me to have faith in my skills as a melodist.  He wanted me to believe I was equipped with the instinct for the dynamics of drama that a good theatre composer should have. This affirmation was an American thing at the time and wasn't found easily in Ireland.</ref>

As a producer he has worked with [[U2]] (on their ''War'' album),<ref name=autob/> [[Van Morrison]],<ref name=autob/> [[Kate Bush]],<ref name=autob/> [[The Dubliners]],<ref name=autob/> [[Planxty]],<ref name=UL/> [[Andy Irvine (musician)|Andy Irvine]] & [[Davy Spillane]],<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/east-wind-mw0000617352/credits|title=East Wind – Andy Irvine, Davy Spillane – Credits – AllMusic}}</ref> [[Patrick Street]],<ref>{{Cite web |website=irishtune.info |url=https://www.irishtune.info/album/PS+3/|title=Irish Times by Patrick Street – as analyzed at irishtune.info }}</ref> [[Stockton's Wing]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://clareherald.com/news/stocktons-wing-to-launch-new-single-19823/|title=Stockton's Wing to launch new single|first=Pat|last=Flynn|date=3 March 2019}}</ref> and fellow Limerickman [[Richard Harris]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/15303299-Richard-Harris-My-Boy-Why-Did-You-Leave-Me|title=Richard Harris – My Boy / Why Did You Leave Me |publisher=[[Discogs]]}}</ref>

As an arranger and composer, his credits include:

* Original music (1989–1993) for fifteen [[W. B. Yeats|W.B. Yeats]] plays (three per season), which were produced by James W. Flannery for the Yeats International Theatre Festival held at [[Dublin]]'s [[Abbey Theatre]] each September during that period.<ref name=buzz/>
* ''The Seville Suite'' (1992), which was inspired by the exploits of [[Red Hugh O'Donnell|Aodh Rua Ó Dónaill]] from The [[Battle of Kinsale]] in 1601 until his arrival in [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]] to the welcome of The Spanish Earl of Caraçena.<ref name=rebel>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/bill-whelan-irish-rebels-story-kick-started-my-riverdance-score-0ln7kcvr5|title=Bill Whelan: Irish rebel's story kick-started my Riverdance score|first=Interview by Larissa|last=Nolan|work=[[The Times]]|location=London}}</ref><ref name=rareroad/> In addition to the orchestra, ''The Seville Suite'' includes [[Celtic Music]] on [[Uilleann Pipes]], [[accordion]], [[bodhrán]], [[fiddle]] as well as [[Galician people|Galician]] harp, whistles and pipes. 
* ''The Spirit of Mayo'' (1993) in honour of Mayo 5000.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rte.ie/archives/2018/0710/977679-mayo-5000/|title=Mayo Celebrates 5000 Years}}</ref> Performed by an 85-piece orchestra in Dublin's [[National Concert Hall]] and featuring a powerful Celtic drum corps and a 200 strong choir and choral group Anúna.<ref name=rareroad/>
*  ''The Connemara Suite'' (2009), features the [[Irish Chamber Orchestra]] along with soloists [[Zoë Conway]], Morgan Crowley, Colin Dunne (Dance Percussion) and Fionnuala Hunt.<ref name=rareroad>{{Cite web|url=https://journalofmusic.com/opinion/rare-road-irish-music|title=A Rare Road in Irish Music|website=The Journal of Music}}</ref>

In theatre, Whelan received a [[Laurence Olivier Award]] nomination for his adaption of [[Gilbert and Sullivan]]'s ''[[H.M.S. Pinafore]]''.<ref name=buzz>{{Cite web |first=Kate|last=Demolder|date=24 September 2022 |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsandculture/arid-40966685.html|title='I still get such a buzz': Bill Whelan remembers Riverdance glory days two decades on|website=[[Irish Examiner]]}}</ref> His film credits include, ''[[Dancing at Lughnasa (film)|Dancing at Lughnasa]]'' (starring [[Meryl Streep]]),<ref name=buzz/> ''[[Some Mother's Son]]'',<ref name=fund>{{cite news |first=Alan |last=Jacques |title=Composer to fund studies |url=http://www.limerickcity.ie/media/whelan,%20bill%2010.pdf |via=[[LimerickCity.ie]] }}</ref> ''[[Lamb (1985 film)|Lamb]]'' (starring [[Liam Neeson]])<ref name=autob/> and the award-winning ''At The Cinema Palace''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bb2423fe6|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426005347/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bb2423fe6|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 April 2017|title=Bill Whelan|publisher=British Film Institute}}</ref>