The Mac Ruairi family pictured with the cup in memory of Éamonn Ghráíne Mac Ruairí
Details of one of Ireland’s most prestigious sean-nós singing competitions, held in memory of one of Tory Island’s greatest ever sean-nós singers, have been announced.
The details of the 2nd Corn Cuimhneacháin Éamoinn Ghráinne sean-nós singing competition were unveiled at a presentation ceremony at a packed hall in An tSean Bheairic, the cultural and heritage centre in Falcarragh, at the weekend.
Owing to the huge numbers who attended last year’s event, the competition has being moved from its original venue to Óstán Loch Altan in Gortahork this year. Corn Chuimhneacháin Éamonn Ghráinne (the Éamonn Ghráinne memorial cup) is organised in memory of the late Éamonn Ghráinne Mac Ruairí of Tory Island and Falcarragh.
Clann Mhic Ruairí sing at the launch of the festival
Éamonn Mac Ruairí was highly respected as a singer, musician and folklorist and is acknowledged as one of the masters of the Donegal sean-nós singing tradition.
Addressing the crowd at the event, Patricia Nic Ruairí, a daughter of Éamonn, a respected singer in her own right and the current holder of the prestigious Éamonn Gráinne Scholarshiop, said,
“My father was passionate about singing, folklore, Gaelic culture and the culture of Tory island in particular. 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. We are delighted that this competition is named in his memory because it captures an essence of all the things he was passionate about in life”.
It is expected that over 22 singers of all ages will compete in this year’s competition, where some of the best singers of the Donegal sean-nós tradition will participate. Sean-nós singing is becoming recognised as one of our most valuable traditional artfroms.
Speaking at the event at the weekend, Máire Ní Chasaide, the newly appointed manager of the Sean Bheairc, said following the huge success of last year’s competition, it was evident that a bigger venue was needed.
“Last year’s inaugural event was an historic night with an electric atmosphere and the numbers attending exceeded our expectations. We hope to repeat that success again this year”.
Corn Cuimhneacháin Éamoinn Ghráinne will be held in Ostán Loch Altan, Gortahork on Sunday June 29th, 2014 and will be one of the flagship event of the Sean Bheairic’s annual Arts and Cultural festival. The competition is open to sean-nós singers of all ages.
Full details of the competition are available at 074 9180888. A full programme of the Falcarragh Arts and Cultural Festival can be viewed or downloaded at http://www.falcarraghvisitorcentre.com/feile-na-seanbheairice-festival-brochure
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