Irish Traditional Song Weekend

The pandemic is not stopping us! We are putting this exciting weekend online, with a series of masterclasses

Fri 19th – Sun 21st June 2020 @ 7-9pm each evening (GMT +1 )

Cost €75.00
Are you interested in Irish traditional song and exploring the cultural roots of this tradition?

We are very excited to launch a new online traditional singing weekend course in collaboration with An tSean Bheairic Cultural Centre in An Fál Carrach (Falcarragh), in the Gaeltacht area of NW Donegal.

• Learn the authentic Sean-Nós style of singing from 4 local tradition bearers.
• Here is Diane Ní Chanainn sing in the ruins of Ray Church, just a stone’s throw from The Song House: https://vimeo.com/328089234
• Hear about the stories and cultural landscape of Sean-Nós and converse with the masters of the tradition who will be delighted to share their expertise and cultural wealth with you.
• Watch a display of Sean-Nós dancing with locals, Frank and Eileen.
• The lessons and talks during the weekend will be recorded and can be kept for practice and reference.
• Free optional extra of tuition in the basics of the Irish language and pronunciation of Irish words.
• All from the comfort of your own home via three two-hour webinars on Zoom over three days.
• The whole course will be hosted in English, though most of the songs will be sung in Irish. Full translations and explanations will be given.

• Limited places available – sign up now to secure your place on this rich and unique cultural programme which brings together a vast amount of expertise and experience.

What is Sean-Nós?

Sean-nós singing can be traced back to the ancient and medieval Gaelic bardic tradition. Many sean-nós songs today boast a great age and a long lineage, but the tradition carries on, and new songs are being composed down to the current day.

Meet Your Hosts

Lillis Ó Laoire

Lillis Ó Laoire from nearby Gort a’ Choirce (Gortahork) is professor of Irish Language at National University of Ireland, Galway and has over 30 years’ experience in singing sean-nós, and in researching and in participating in all aspects of the tradition in his home county of Donegal as well as throughout Ireland and Scotland. Lillis also wrote an extensive ethnographic study of sean-nós singing on Toraigh (Tory) island off the coast of Donegal. Lillis will share his experience and research and a selection of songs.
https://www.facebook.com/TG4TV/videos/494632727902764/

Noeleen Ní Cholla

Noeleen Ní Cholla’s ancestors came from various islands of Gaoth Dobhair (Gweedore), off the coast of NW Donegal. She grew up learning songs from her mother and grandmother, and will share with us her experience and stories and will provide tuition in the songs.
Be prepared to feel the magic, listen to songs of tragedy, heartbreak & fairies. This is a special opportunity to participate in an ancient living tradition of song from this part of Ireland.
Here is Noeleen singing at the Song House: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uKZX8Pmpxk

Diane Ní Chanainn

Diane Ní Chanainn from lovely seaside Mín Lárach is a renowned sean-nós singer who has won many prestigious competitions such as Comórtas Cuimhneacháin Sheáin Óig Uí Thuama and Corn Cuimhneacháin Éamoinn Ghráinne. Diane has helped revive many near forgotten songs from her area and has brought her local sean-nós tradition of singing to new international audiences. Read more about Diane at dianecannonmusic.com

Conor Ó Gallachóir

Conor Ó Gallachóir, from Gort a’ Choirce (Gortahork), is a young and very talented local sean-nós singer who came through the Éamonn Ghráinne Mac Ruairí cultural programme at An tSean Bheairic and was instructed in sean-nós singing by local traditional singers. Conor is the winner of several sean-nós prizes and currently holds the Éamonn Ghráinne scholarship as An tSean Bheairic. Here is Conor singing his winning song, on Fleadh TV in 2016:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOmjMIfjnvc

Seanán Mac Aoidh

Seanán Mac Aoidh is manager and programme director of An tSean Bheairic cultural centre in An Fál Carrach (Falcarragh). Seanán was formerly an Irish language teacher and researcher in Ulster University in Belfast and has recently completed his PhD research project in the Donegal Irish language storytelling tradition. Seanán often tells traditional stories at local events and during this weekend will share some insights into the cultural background of sean-nós and the stories that underlie the tradition.

An tSean Bheairic – the local cultural centre

An tSean Bheairic is at the heart of cultural and community life in An Fál Carrach (Falcarragh) and holds the annual Féile na Sean Bheairice festival of Sean-Nós singing and dance. An tSean Bheairic also organises classes in sean-nós singing throughout the year as well as exhibitions and other cultural events.

Teach na nAmhrán / The Song House

This house has a rich history as a cultural venue. Formerly the Poets’ House, welcoming poets from all over Ireland and USA, it was converted in to a house of song 5 years ago by Candy Verney, who over 25 years has enabled thousands to find their voice through community choirs. It now is a simple and comfortable and aesthetic residential centre, with a beautiful organic garden: a place to reconnect with the essentials of life.

For More information contact the Song House or Seanán Mac Aoidh – An tSean Bheairic on 00353 (0)74 9180888 or antseanbheairic10@yahoo.ie
Sean-Nós: explore the culture through a series of online masterclasses over a weekend