SEAN-NÓS SINGER IN RESIDENCE

SEAN-NÓS SINGER IN RESIDENCE 2005

The Centre for Irish Studies at NUI, Galway has announced the appointment of Áine Ní Dhroighneáin as Sean-Nós Singer-in-Residence at the university for the forthcoming year. Áine is from Baile an tSléibhe in Spiddal, an area which has produced many fine singers over the years including Síle Tim Ní Fhlaithearta, Mairéad Ní Fhlaithearta, and Tomás Ó Neachtain.

 Áine’s first introduction to sean-nós was through classes at An Gaelcadamh, where she began singing at the age of eight. A year later she attended her first Oireachtas and went on to win the Corn Faoi-18 at the tender age of fifteen. In 2002, she finished second in Corn Mháire Áine Mhic Dhonnchadha and was awarded second place again later that year in the sean-nós competition at Féile na Mí.

 Among the many singers who have helped her over the years and influenced her style of singing, Áine gives particular credit to Peaitsí Ó Ceannabháin, Máire Pheitir Uí Dhroighneáin, Pat Phádraig Tom Ó Conghaile, from whom she learned a great many of her songs. Despite the geographical rivalry between Spiddal and Carna, she also mentions Johnny Mháirtín Learaí as one of her favourite singers.

 Among the highlights of her career as a singer, she mentions performing for Mary Robinson when she visited Spiddal during her presidency. She has also performed twice at the Celtic Festival in Lorient, initially with the acapella group Lughnasa, and on her own in 2000 when she performed at the opening of Les Nuits Magiques, a major outdoor concert at the Lorient football stadium.

 Although she has yet to make a full recording of her songs, Áine has contributed to many of TG4’s most popular programmes, including Ros na Rún, Abair Amhrán, and a documentary on the work of Dr Eithne McGee.

Áine teaches English and French at Coláiste na Coiribe in Galway and also works as part-time tutor in the French Department at NUI, Galway, where she teaches French through the medium of Irish.

Et voila!

 During the twelve months of her residency, Áine will participate in a series of performances and workshops at the Centre for Irish Studies and at Áras Shorcha Ní Ghuairim in Carna, and, in association with Pléaráca Chonamara and An Gaelacadamh, at other venues throughout the Connemara Gaeltacht. She will also make a recording of her work for the audio archive at the Centre for Irish Studies.

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

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