Helena Nic Laifearataigh, Manager of a n tSeanbheairic presents the scholarshiop to Patricia Nic Ruairí. Also in the picture is the Mac Ruairí Family
The first ever Scoláireacht Éamoinn Ghráinne (the Éamonn Ghráinne Scholarship), a sean-nós singing scholarship in memory of the late Éamonn ‘Ghráinne’ Mac Ruairí of Tory island and Falcarragh has being awarded to his daughter Patricia.
At a special ceremony at An tSean Bheairic last weekend, Helena Nic Laifeartaigh, the manager of an tSean Bheairic, the arts and cultural centre in Falcarragh, presented Patricia with the prestigious scholarship in front of a large crowd of local dignitaries and traditional artists and singers.
As part of the scholarship, Patricia, a respected singer in her own right, will take up the position of sean-nós singer in residence in the arts and cultural venue over an eight month period.
She will be tasked with developing and nurturing the rich sean-nós singing tradition of the area and delivering a comprehensive programme of sean-nós singing activities, with a particular focus on transmitting this ornate and beautiful tradition to the next generation.
Speaking at the event, Patricia Nic Ruairí said she hoped the award would allow her to develop the valuable tradition her father loved.
She also said she would try and ensure the project would do justice to the memory of her father and to the as the rich musical legacy he left behind.
“Hopefully, we can play a small part in the regeneration of the sean-nós singing tradition in Cloughaneely, particularly amongst young people. My father always believed the tradition would stay alive and flourish if it was passed on to the younger generation”.
The scholarship was initiated by an tSean Bheairic in memory of Patricia’s late father, Éamonn ‘Ghráinne’ Mac Ruairí of Tory Island and Falcarragh.
Éamonn was a highly esteemed singer, musician and folklorist who is recognised internationally as one of the finest exponents of the rich musical and cultural heritage of Tory Island as well as being acknowledged as one of the masters of the Donegal sean-nós singing tradition.
He left an indelible mark on the singing tradition of the Donegal Gaeltacht and he greatly contributed to the strong sense of identity and historical continuity of the Tory Island community. His family is also steeped in that tradition and all three generations of the family has produced accomplished sean-nós singers.
The Sean Bheairic committee felt it was highly appropriate and fitting that a member of the Mac Ruairí family should receive the inaugural scholarship. Josie Doohan, the chairman of an tSean Bheairic, commenting on the awarding of the scholarship to Patricia, had this to say,
“Patricia, like her father, is steeped in the musical heritage of Tory Island and Cloughaneely and has a deep understanding of the importance of sean-nós singing and the rich musical heritage of the area.
“She also understands how important it is that this beautiful art form be handed down to the next generation, something her father always advocated. It is, therefore our privilege to announce Patricia as the first recipient of the scholarship”.
An tSean Bheairic, with the support of Ealaín na Gaeltachta, felt it was important to remember Éamonn, to build on the legacy he left behind and to help promote the traditional arts in the region.
Last June, they organised the inaugural Corn Éamoinn Ghráinne, a sean-nós singing competition in memory of Éamonn. The competition proved to be a huge success garnering huge support throughout the Gaeltacht and culminating in a packed auditorium for the final. The committee felt it was important to build on this momentum and it was from this seed that the idea of a scholarship took hold.
Speaking of the importance of the initiative, Micheál Mac Aoidh of Ealaín na Gaeltachta, the organisation who are sponsoring the scholarship, said, “It is a great honour to be able to offer this important scholarship and to honour the memory of one of the finest singers to come out of the Donegal Gaeltacht. It is also important that the traditional arts are fostered and developed in this area. This scholarship can play a small but important role in achieving that goal”
One of Patricia’s first duties as the sean-nós signer in residence was to announce the launch of a programme of sean-nós singing classes for children between 7 and 12 years old. The classes commence in November and will run until April, 2014.
This eight month course will ensure the young participants gain a solid grounding in sean-nós singing and are able to master the basic forms. Some of the top sean-nós singers in the county will be invited to be guest tutors on the programme and the children will be given opportunities to perform in public.
The programme builds on the success of last year’s introduction course for young people where over 20 children participated. As well as the sean-nós singing classes, Patricia hopes to initiate a number of other events and projects that will bring sean-nós singing to a wider audience.