Comórtas / Competition 2017

Bhí comórtas na bliana seo le haghaidh uirlisí giolcach miotail lena n-áirítear bosca, séiséad, orgán béil agus consairtín.

This year’s competition was for metal reed instruments including box, melodeon, mouth organ and concertina.

Accordionist Keelan McGrath from Borrisokane in County Tipperary has won the 2018 Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal competition.

The young musician – aged only 16 – competed against 15 other finalists in a concert broadcast live from Cork on RTÉ Ráidió na Gaeltachta on Friday 2 February. The judges were concertina player Noel Hill, accordionist Charlie Harris and accordion and concertina player Mick Mulcahy.

The finalists were:

• Michael Sheehy, Manchester – accordion
• Maighréad Ní Luasa, Cork – accordion
• John Paul Wick, New Jersey – concertina
• Donagh McElligott, Kerry – concertina
• Gerry Lappin, Armagh – accordion
• Conor Connolly, Galway – accordion
• Paul Clesham, Mayo – concertina
• Creena Mulchrone, Mayo – accordion
• Aoibheann Queally, Clare – concertina
• Enda McGonigle, Belfast / London – concertina
• Mícheál Ó Sé, Kerry – accordion
• Eimhear Flannery, Cork – concertina
• Clara Mannion, Waterford – concertina
• Ciarán Kelly, Fermanagh / Derry – accordion
• Keelan McGrath, Tipperary – accordion
• Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Dublin/Connemara – concertina