SEAN-NÓS SINGER IN RESIDENCE

SEAN-NÓS SINGER IN RESIDENCE 2006

The Centre for Irish Studies at NUI, Galway has announced the appointment of Máire Uí Dhroighneáin to the position of Sean-Nós Singer in Residence.

A native of Spiddal, Máire cites her mother Máire Nic an Ríogh, from An Gleann Mór, Carraroe as a formative influence on her singing style. ’She used to sing while she was working around the house or trying to get us to sleep and those are the first songs I can remember. I had her tormented, asking her to sing the same songs over and over again.’

Amongst the many other singers who have influenced her, she makes particular mention of Máire Chólman Nic Dhonnacha, Máire Áine Nic Dhonncha, Pat Phádraic Tom Ó Conghaile and Máirtín Phatch Ó Cúláin as well as Seán Mac Donncha and Seosamh Ó hÉanaí.

While she remains wary of the over-emphasis on competitions, she has won Comórtas na mBan at the Oireachtas and been runner-up in Corn Uí Riada, the premier award for sean-nós singing.

For the past seventeen years, Máire has been involved with An Gaelacadamh, teaching children the songs that were passed on to her and which she is now handing on to a new generation, many of who have gone on to compete successfully at the Oireachtas, and at various fleadhanna ceoil.

In acknowledgement of her contribution to the living tradition, both as a performer and as a teacher, Máire was awarded Gradam Sean-nóis Cois Life in 2004.

Máire also has extensive experience as an actress, on stage and on screen and is perhaps best known to television audience in the part of Máire, the sanctimonious shopkeeper, in Ros na Rún.

During the period of her residency, Máire will participate in a series of performances and workshops at the Centre for Irish Studies and other venues throughout Connemara and the Aran Islands. She will also record her own work and that of other singers.

The workshops at the Centre for Irish Studies will commence at 7.00pm on Tuesday 14 February and will run from now until Easter.

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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