Comórtas / Competition 2024

Cuireadh chun Ceoil / Comórtas / Competition 2024
Uileann Pipes / Harp Competition

Bonn Oir Seán O Riada 2024

Bhí Sorcha Ní Scolaí ar na píobaí uilleann agus Lily O’Connor ar an gcruit ainmnithe mar bhuaiteoirí Chomórtas Bhonn Óir Seán Ó Riada 2024, a reáchtáladh i mí Eanáir 2025.

Uilleann piper Sorcha Ní Scolaí and harper Lily O’Connor have been named the winners of the 2024 Bonn Óir Sean Ó Riada competition, held in January 2025.

Cuireann an comórtas mór le rá seo béim ar uirlis dhifriúil nó ar ghrúpa uirlisí gach bliain, agus bhí píobaí uilleann agus an chruit i lár an aonaigh don eagrán is déanaí. Tar éis glao oscailte ar iontrálacha i mí Mheán Fómhair, reáchtáladh an babhta ceannais Dé hAoine, an 24 Eanáir 2025, in Óstán Pháirc Rochestown i gCorcaigh.

This prestigious traditional music contest highlights a different instrument or set of instruments each year, with the latest edition focusing on uilleann pipes and harp. Following an open call for entries in September, the final took place on Friday, 24 January, at Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork.

Buathóirí Bonn Ór Seán Ó Riada 2024 - Sorcha Ní Scolaí & Lily O’Connor - Photo Darragh Kane

Craoladh an ócáid, a bhí á cur i láthair ag bunaitheoir an chomórtais Peadar Ó Riada, beo ar RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. Fuair an bheirt bhuaiteoirí bonn óir lámhcheardaíochta deartha ag Niamh Utsch, maraon le duais airgid €2,500.

The event, presented by competition founder Peadar Ó Riada, was broadcast live on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. Both winners received a specially crafted gold medal designed by Niamh Utsch along with a €2,500 cash prize.

 

Is píobaire uilleann den scoth í Sorcha Ní Scolaí, as Baile Átha Cliath ó dhúchas, agus tá iliomad teidil aonair buaite aici ag Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Tá sí le feiceáil ar RTÉ agus TG4, agus anuraidh sheinn sí ag Gradaim Cheoil Tíre RTÉ Radio 1 mar ómós do ionduchtú Shéamuis Ennis isteach sa Halla na Laoch. Amhránaí cumasach sean-nóis freisin, tá oidhreacht láidir cheoil aici mar gharsprid an amhránaí, fliúiteadóra agus bailitheora ceoil nach maireann, Séamus Mac Mathúna.

Dublin native Sorcha Ní Scolaí is a highly accomplished uilleann piper, having won multiple solo titles at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. She has made appearances on RTÉ and TG4, and last year performed at the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards to commemorate Séamus Ennis’ induction into the Hall of Fame. Also a talented sean-nós singer, Ní Scolaí comes from a strong musical lineage as the granddaughter of the late singer, flute player, and collector Séamus Mac Mathúna. 

Is cruitire agus consairtíní í Lily O’Connor as Baile Uí Ghríofa, Co. an Chláir. D’fhoghlaim sí an chruit faoi stiúir Fionnuala Rooney agus rinne sí staidéar ar an gconsairtín le Mary McNamara agus Liam O’Brien. Ag teacht ó theaghlach ceolmhar i gClár, tá sí anois ag obair mar mhúinteoir eolaíochta i meánscoil in Áth Buí, Co. na Mí.

Lily O’Connor, from Ballygriffey, Co. Clare, is both a harper and concertina player. She learned the harp under the guidance of Fionnuala Rooney and studied concertina with Mary McNamara and Liam O’Brien. Coming from a musical Clare family, she now works as a secondary school science teacher in Ashbourne, Co. Meath.

Ar an Cruith / This year’s finalists featured harpers:

  • Aoibhe Kettle (Co. Laois)
  • Aoife Ní Chonghaile (Limerick)
  • Catherine Joyce (Castlebar)
  • Éilís Needham (Sligo)
  • Emma Benson (Keadue, Co. Roscommon)

Na píobairí uileann / The uilleann pipers competing were:

  • Joe Kelly (New Jersey)
  • Iarla Mac Mathúna (Armagh)
  • Micheál Fitzgibbon (Limerick)
  • Muireann Meade (Castleiney, Co. Tipperary)
  • Ciarán Browne (Dublin)
  • Síofra Ní Mhóráin (Dublin)
  • Sean O’Malley (Achill)
  • Tara Boyle (Clonbur, Co. Galway)
 

Bhí ceoltóirí mór le rá Mick O’Brien, Ailean Domhnallach agus Siobhán Armstrong ar an bpainéal moltóirí. Tá Comórtas Bhonn Óir Seán Ó Riada indéanta a bhuíochas le hurraíocht ó RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Gael Linn, IMRO, Óstán Pháirc Rochestown agus Iontaoibheas Fodhla.

The panel of judges included esteemed musicians Mick O’Brien, Ailean Domhnallach, and Siobhán Armstrong. The Bonn Óir Sean Ó Riada competition is made possible through sponsorship from RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Gael Linn, IMRO, Rochestown Park Hotel, and Iontaoibheas Fodhla.

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Fiseán

Photo Gallery - Photos by Darragh Kane

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