News Update Oriel Song Awards 2015-2019
AWARDS for the SONG TRADITION OF ORIEL
There is a consistent and growing recognition for the renewed song tradition of Oriel. A once almost lost tradition, during the latter part of the 20th century, it is once again vibrant and vital, with established Sean-Nós singers from Donegal sourcing songs from Oriel, young local singers sourcing songs from this website, Oriel Arts, from the CD of 27 Oriel songs, CEOLTAÍ OIRIALLA and the source publication, A Hidden Ulster – people,songs and traditions of Oriel, which is now going into its 3rd reprint; and contemporary singers such as Rioghnach Connolly sourcing songs from the Ceoltaí Oirialla CD and singing them on the international stage.
The songs are being taught to young singers in the local Gaelscoil in Crossmaglen by singer Bláithín Mhic Cana with occasional masterclasses given by singers Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin, Máire Ní Choilm and other invited Donegal singers to the area, such as Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh.
With a growing proud and confident reclamation of the local tradition, young Oriel singers are now taking part in Sean-Nós competitons – both national and regional – which were once the domain of Gaeltacht singers only, and are now returning home with a cross generational crop of national awards.
Oirialla Sean-Nós at Oireachtas na Gaeilge
Piaras Ó Lorcáin, from County Armagh, receiving Corn Cuimhneacháin Sheosamh Úi Éanaí trophy for sean-nós singing from singer Diane Cannon Oireachtas na Gaeilge 2016
When young Piaras Ó Lorcáin, from south Armagh, won the Corn Cuimhneacháin Sheosaimh Uí Éanaí trophy in the national Oireachtas na Gaeilge sean-nós competion 2016, singing the old renewed version of Séamus Mac Murfaidh (from Ceoltaí Oirialla CD and A Hidden Ulster), competing against the finest of young Gaeltacht sean-nós singers, it was symbolic of the work having come full circle.
Feilimí O’Connor had paved the way for Piaras and other Oriel singers when he won Corn Cuimhneacháin Amhránaithe Sean-Nóis Mhúscraí trophy in his category in 2015, singing A Hidden Ulster songs which he learned from his mother, Eithne Ní Uallacháin. He turned the tide of sean-nós singing by bringing an Oireachtas na Gaeilge sean-nós award to Oriel for the first time.
Feilimí O’Connor from County Louth, winner of 2015 Oireachtas na Gaeilge sean-nós trophy Corn Cuimhneacháin Amhránaithe Sean-Nóis Mhúscraí.
As a result of the publication of A Hidden Ulster and the recording of renewed songs from manuscript, Ceoltaí Oirialla, CD a once tenuous, fragile, ancient tradition is becoming more accessible and enjoyed by a younger community and also generating informed scholarship and performance, with a renewed confidence and a vibrancy in the Gaelic oral traditions of Oriel.
ORIEL ARTS aims to replenish the well, by bringing elements of this great Oriel legacy full circle, and returning it back to the community – restored and renewed.
A Hidden Ulster -people, songs and traditions of Oriel is available on order from Four Courts Press, Dublin: http://www.fourcourtspress.
GRADAM TG4 Traditional Music Awards 2018
Actor Stephen Rea presents Padraigín Ní Uallacháin with GRADAM TG4 Award in Waterfront Hall Belfast 2018.
The Director of Oriel Arts, author of A Hidden Ulster, and Oriel Sean-Nós singer Padraigín Ní Uallacháin was honoured with GRADAM TG4 2018 ‘Outstanding Contribution to Irish Traditional Music’, for her renewal of the Oriel song tradition and her many new compositions in the traditional style. During 2018, in recognition of her contribution to Oriel Arts, she received local cultural awards from GAA An Mullach Bán, Newry, Mourne & Down Civic award, Conradh na Gaeilge, Aras Mhic Ardghail ‘Newry, ‘Mná an Mhisnigh’ award, and Fiddlers Green Creative Cultural Award 2018.
For the Gradam TG4 presentation in the Waterfront Hall Belfast, she invited local singers Blaithín Mhic Cana and Piaras Ó Lorcáin to join her in singing in unison the renewed Oriel song Seamus Mac Murfaidh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DfYXqt09Ys
Piaras Ó Lorcáin winner of Sean-Nós (12-15) Fleadh Cheoil na hÉIreann Drogheda 2018
Oriel Sean-Nós singers Piaras Ó Lorcáín & Bláithín Mhic Cana with An tUachtarán Michael D. Higgins Waterfron Hall Belfast 2018 GRADAM TG4 Awards
SEAN NÓS AWARDS 2018 & 2019
Following his appearance in the Waterfront Hall in Belfast for GRADAM TG4 Awards, and meeting with Uachtaran na hÉireann, Michael D. Higgins, Piaras Ó Lorcáin went on to win the top award in his category in Sean-Nós singing (12-15_ at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Drogheda, singing the renewed Oriel version of An Bonnán Buí.
Cullyhanna Sean-Nós singer, Síomha Ní Ghribín, winner of Corn Mhic Reachtain in Áras Mhic Reachtain Belfast 2019, with Donegal sean-nos singer Doiminic Mac Giolla Bhride.
Oirialla sean nós singers continue to scoop two mayor awards at the annual Sean Nós na Fearsaide in Áras Mhic Reachtain in Belfast in February with Corn Mhic Reachtain 2019 won by young Cullyhanna singer, Síomha Ní Ghribín, who attends Gaelscoil Phádraig Naofa in Crossmaglen.
Oirialla Sean-Nós singer, Bláithín Mhic Cana winner of Corn Uí Chriagáin in Áras Mhic Reachtain Belfast 2019
Her singing teacher, Bláithín Mhic Cana, one of the singers featured in this renewal project of Oriel Arts, won the major award at the festival Corn Uí Chriagáin 2019, singing the renewed Oriel version of Maidin Fhómhair.
Oriel Arts is immensely proud of their achievements and celebrates the turning of the tide of the Gaelic song tradition of Oriel for generations to come.