Mairéad Ní Fhlatharta
Mairéad Ní Fhlatharta

University of Galway’s Centre for Irish Studies has announced the appointment of Mairéad Ní Fhlatharta from Baile an tSléibhe, An Spidéal, as Sean-Nós Singer-in-Residence for 2024. 

Mairéad has been singing since she began attending classes at An Gaelacadamh at the age of seven. Amongst the teachers who shared their deep knowledge of the tradition with her, she mentions the formative influence of the late Pat Phádraic Tom Ó Conghaile and Peatsaí Ó Ceannabháin. With their encouragement, she has also incorporated elements of the singing of Seosamh Ó hÉanaí and Darach Ó Catháin into her own distinctive style, and mentions Dara Bán and Caitlín Maude as seminal influences on her approach to sean-nós songs.

Mairéad said: “I am spellbound by both the words and the music of the sean-nós songs and I can’t wait to share the richness of Irish language poetry as well as the love and other themes from the Gaeltacht tradition during my time as Singer-in-Residence at the University of Galway.”

Announcing the appointment, Dr Méabh Ní Fhuartháin, Head of Irish Studies at the University of Galway, said: “The living link with the sean-nós song tradition and other aspects of the vernacular arts of the Conamara Gaeltacht are a key element of the work we do here. We have had the privilege of working with some of the finest exponents of the Gaeltacht arts since this scheme was established 20 years ago and I have no doubt that Mairéad Ní Fhlatharta will make a significant contribution to that distinguished tradition.”

Mairéad will deliver a series of workshops at University of Galway beginning on Wednesday February 28 at 6pm.  The workshops are free and open to the public.   

This project is funded by Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta and An Chomhairle Ealaíon in association with the Centre for Irish Studies at University of Galway.

 

Ealaíontóir Cónaithe Scéalaíochta

University of Galway’s Storyteller-in-residence Máirín Mhic Lochlainn will deliver the second series of story-telling workshops at the University. 

The five workshops, which will be delivered through Irish, are free and open to the public and will run every Wednesday, beginning on September 27, at 7pm at the Centre for Irish Studies, 4 Distillery Road, University of Galway.  

Máirín has won several awards for story-telling including Corn Neidí Frainc at the Oireachtas festival. Developing the craft of story-telling is a mission for Máirín and she has conducted workshops in story-telling throughout Ireland, Wales and Denmark. She was a special guest at this year’s Cape Clear International Storytelling Festival. 

Professor Louis de Paor, Director of the Centre for Irish Studies at University of Galway, said: “Máirín is one of the most accomplished performers working in the vernacular arts tradition here in Ireland. This is a marvelous opportunity therefore for anyone interested in the Irish language storytelling tradition.”

This project is funded by Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta and The Arts Council, in association with the Centre for Irish Studies at University of Galway.

Further information available from Samantha Williams at 091-492051 or samantha.williams@universityofgalway.ie

 

Sean-nós Singer in Residence for 2017

‌‌‌ Sean-Nós Singer in Residence 2017

The Centre for Irish Studies, NUI Galway, is delighted to announce Sarah Ghriallas as Sean-nós Singer in Residence for 2017.

Originally from Muiceanach, Sarah Ghriallais has long been acknowledged as a sean-nós singer of exceptional talent, winning the coveted Corn Uí Riada award at the Oireachtas for the first time in 1984. That same prize has also been taken home by her son Michael, her sisters Nóra and Nan, and her niece Celia Ní Fhátharta. Sarah’s was a household full of singing and music-making and she credits her parents, Pádraig and Máire, and her wider family with instilling her first love of singing.  Sarah particularly remembers her teacher, Treasa Bn. Uí Chartúir as being important in her development. Some of the songs which are most associated with Sarah include ‘Sagart na Cúile Báine’, Condae Mhaigh Eo’, ‘Táilliúir an Mhagaidh’ agus ‘Eileanóir na Rún’.

To begin her residency, Sarah will give a series of five sean-nós singing workshops at the Centre for Irish Studies, NUI Galway, beginning on Wednesday, 8 February at 7pm. Workshops are free and open to all.

This scheme is run with the generous support of Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta, An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the Centre for Irish Studies, NUI Galway.


A reception to mark the launch of Sarah Ghriallais as Sean-nós Singer in Residence 2017 took place last night (2nd February) at the Centre for Irish Studies.  Lillis Ó Laoire delivered a wonderful introduction to Sarah.  Lillis Ó Laoire Introduction

Contae Mhaigh Eo
http://old.tg4.ie/en/programmes/archive/sarah-ghriallais/contae-mhaigh-eo.html