Siobhán Ní Laoire at the Sean-nós Cois Life Traditional Singing Festival, 1993

Siobhán Ní Laoire at the Sean-nós Cois Life Traditional Singing Festival, 1993

Dublin singer Siobhán Ní Laoire at an event of the Sean-Nós Cois Life Traditional Singing Festival on 2 April 1993 in the Góilín Club at the Ferryman, Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, with fellow-singers Clíona Ní Shúilleabháin, Áine uí Cheallaigh, and Frank Harte. Photograph by Dublin singer Luke Cheevers

Beginning in the mid-1970s, annual weekend festivals and seasonal clubs dedicated to unaccompanied traditional singing began to proliferate throughout Ireland, North and South. Among the festivals have been ones held in Ballyvaughan, Ennistymon and Feakle, Co Clare; Beleek and Derrygonnelly, Co Fermanagh; Cill Chiaráin, Co Galway; Coalisland, Co Tyrone; Cúil Aodha, Co Cork; Inishowen, Co Donegal; Portrush, Co Antrim; Ráth Cairn, Co Meath; and Rosslare, Co Wexford. Some of them are now in their third decade; others have come to a natural end. The Sean-Nós Cois Life festival was founded by Irish-language singers in Dublin in 1992 and continues annually, with sessions and workshops being held this year in various Dublin venues, 12–15 April. For details ring (086) 294 0652 or (087) 262 1537, or see www.irish.ie/using/living/events.

Photo © Luke Cheevers. Courtesy Luke Cheevers & Irish Traditional Music Archive

Published on 1 March 2007

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