Sean-Nós Artists in Residence

Sean-nós Singer in Residence 2024

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.

Sean-Nós Artists in Residence

The appointment of Sean-nós Singers and Dancers in Residence represents the dynamic connection between the University and its Irish-speaking hinterland by recognising sean-nós song and dance as highly developed art forms that are particularly strong in the Connemara Gaeltacht.

Sean-Nós Dancer in Residence 2016

The appointment of Sean-nós Singers and Dancers in Residence represents the dynamic connection between the University and its Irish-speaking hinterland by recognising sean-nós song and dance as highly developed art forms that are particularly strong in the Connemara Gaeltacht.

The Centre for Irish Studies at NUI Galway is delighted to announce the appointment of Páraic Ó hOibicín as Sean-nós Dancer in Residence for 2016.

A native of Lettermuckoo, Connemara, Páraic Ó hOibicín is one of a generation of dancers who led the revival of sean-nós dance in the late twentieth century.  Key to Páraic’s style of dancing, is a faithful nod to older dancers and the tradition that he saw in his youth. He credits Máirtín Beag Ó Gríofa as the most important influence in his development as a sean-nós dancer. Páraic’s style is highly individual, with a lightness and individuality of step recognisable the world over. 

Like many of his generation, Páraic was resident for a number of years in the UK, but returned to Lettermuckoo in 1984, and quickly reconnected with the dancing community of his youth through sean-nós and set dancing. A winner of the Oireachtas competition in 2004, Páraic is a sought after performer and teacher, and has been invited to give work-shops and master-classes of sean-nós dance nationally throughout Ireland, and indeed internationally, in Zurich and this year in America.  Among his many dance students over the years are two of his own children Patrick and Soina, who have both been successful in Oireachtas competitions, continuing the family tradition.

During his residency, Páraic will participate in a series of performances and workshops at the Centre for Irish Studies and other venues in Galway.  A selection of his repertoire will also be recorded to deposit in the Sean-Nós Archive at the Centre for Irish Studies. A series of five sean-nós dance workshops will take place in An Taibhdhearc and commence on the 10 February 2016 and are free and open to all.

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.

Sean-Nós Singer in Residence 2015

NUI Galway’s Centre for Irish Studies has announced the appointment of Máire Ní Mhaoilchiaráin as Sean-Nós Singer in Residence for 2015.  From Áird Thoir, Carna, Máire comes from a family which has a long and rich tradition of sean-nós singing. Now married, Máire is living in Áird Mhór with her husband Rónán and her four children. Máire’s sister Bríd was appointed as the very first Sean-Nós Singer in Residence at the Centre for Irish Studies in 2002.

Máire’s clear, sweet vocal style echoes with the singing from her mother Bairbre and the Heaney side of the family, with Joe Heaney being her granduncle. Within a wide repertoire, ‘Amhrán Mhuighinse’, ‘Amhrán Rinn Mhaoile’ and ‘An Spailpín Fánach’ are signature songs of Máire’s. She can be heard frequently on Raidió na Gaeltachta, at concerts and also gives workshops as part of Féile Chomórtha Joe Éinniú, among others.

As part of the appointment, Máire will deliver a series of workshops at NUI Galway and will contribute to the expanding Sean-Nós Archive Collection. The workshops are free and open to the public and will begin on Wednesday, 11 February at 7pm at the Centre for Irish Studies, NUI Galway.

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.

‌Archive of singers/dancers in residence at NUI Galway

Read about previous singers and dancers in residence here