Tipp music group in national finals
GAOISEACH, a talented group of young musicians, aged between 13 and 18 and from North Tipperary, is set to compete in the highly anticipated All-Ireland Siansa Gael Linn music competition, which will take place in the National Concert Hall in Dublin on Sunday, April 2.
Siansa is one of the country’s most prestigious competitions for young traditional Irish music groups. Organised by Gael Linn with support from RTÉ Raidio na Gaeltachta and Irish Music Magazine, Siansa provides a platform for talented teenage music groups who aim to emulate groups such as Téada, Danú and Altan. The competition, which is a fantastic opportunity for these exceptional young players, has a prize fund of €4,500 and is run entirely through the medium of Irish.
Following selection from the first round of over 100 applicants, 32 groups attended the regional auditions and Gaoiseach were one of eight finalists chosen to partake in the All- Ireland final in the National Concert Hall in April.
Gaoiseach has been practicing diligently for several months. The group members are John, Laoise and Clodagh Kennedy; Caithlin and Jack McGrath; Cathal Slattery, Clodagh Moylan and Cian Fitzgerald, who are all accomplished musicians in their own right, with several county, provincial, All-Ireland and international titles to their names. The group's instruments include fiddle, concertina, flute, whistle, accordion, melodeon, piano, guitar, harp, cello, bodhrán and vocals.
The group play a variety of traditional and newly composed tunes, fusing the old with the new in their arrangements. Their performance includes a Billy McComiskey Waltz, a jig by Newtown native Sean Ryan, a newly composed slip jig written by group member Laoise Kennedy and a traditional Irish song ‘A Pheigín mo Chroí’ led by vocalist Caithlin McGrath. These pieces have been intricately intertwined in a euphonious compilation arranged by the group’s talented musical director Naomi Corcoran (Morrissey). Naomi, who teaches Ceol agus Gaeilge in Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh, comes from a family who are committed to preserving our language and culture. There are fantastic harmonies and arrangements throughout the compilation and given their continued commitment and dedication, the group are ready to take on the challenge in the All-Ireland Siansa competition, showcase their skills and passion for Irish traditional music and make their families, community and county proud.
Group member Cathal Slattery (16)expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming competition. “We are thrilled to represent Tipperary in this competition and feel privileged to have reached the final. Naomi has been an exceptional mentor to us and we are very grateful for her time, dedication and guidance,” he said.
The event will be livestreamed on YouTube and broadcast by Raidio na Gaeltachta on Sunday, April 2. President Michael D Higgins will be in attendance for the presentation of prizes. With their talent and commitment, they are well-equipped to take on the competition and give a memorable performance. We wish them the very best of luck. Tickets are available at www.nch.ie. Bígí linn le Gael Linn.