The Centre for Irish Studies was a hive of singing and music making at the reception to mark the appointment of Joe John Mac An Iomaire as Sean-nós Singer in Residence for 2013. Joe’s family, friends and fellow singers were there in strength, and celebrated in style. It was house dance transplanted to the Centre, as Mícheál Ó Cuaig (a former recipient of the award himself), ably acted as Fear an Tí with Johnny Mháirtín Learaí, Josie Sheáin Jeaic, Áine Ní Dhroighneáin, Bartley Breathnach and Micheál himself among the singers who performed. The evening began with Dr Louis de Paor recognizing the incalculable value of the Sean-Nós Performer in Residence scheme, a sentiment echoed by Mícheál later in the evening. The dynamic relationship between the singers and the Centre, which has built up over the past ten years, was evidenced on the night in every musical contribution and indeed in the opening comments of Professor Gearóid Denvir who formally introduced Joe John as this year’s Sean-nós Singer in Residence. Joe John regaled the crowd with stories and sang one of his signature big songs ‘An Droighneáin Donn’. Also performing were young musicians and singers from Connemara. When Mícheál compared the harp playing of Séamus Ó Flatharta to the harpist of the Gaelic aristocracy, it was a fitting tribute to Joe John as our Taoiseach for the night.