Donegal singer Gearóidín Breathnach has won the Corn Uí Riada sean-nós singing competition for the third time.

The competition, which is the premier event for traditional sean-nós singing, took place at the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney on Saturday 2 November as part of the Irish-language arts and culture festival Oireachtas na Samhna.

Breathnach, who is from Croithlí in Letterkenny, performed the songs ‘Ar mo ghabháil go Baile Átha Cliath domh’ and ‘Tar chugam i mo Néaltaí’. She previously won the competition in 1996 and 2004. Second place this year went to Sláine Ní Chathalláin from An Coimín, Baile na nGall, Co. Kerry, and third place went to Nollaig Ní Laoire from Baile Átha Troim, Co. Meath, who previously won the prize in 2010.

The winner receives the silver cup, Corn Cuimhneacháin Sheáin Uí Riada, a silver medal and €1,500; second prize is a silver medal and €750; and third prize is a bronze medal and €500.

Corn Uí Riada is preceded by the men’s and women’s sean-nós competitions, which serve as qualifiers. The winner of this year’s women’s competition was Orla Ní Fhinneadha from An Chloich Mhóir, Co. Galway, and second place went to Caroline Ní Chonaire from An Teach Mór, Indreabhán, Co. Galway. The winner of the men’s competition was Domhnall Ó Braonáin from Teach Móir Thiar, Indreabhán, Co. Galway, and second place went to Rónán Ó Conghaile from Leitir Mór na Coille, Camus, Co. Galway. Those who have won or taken second place in these competitions over the past five years are eligible to enter Corn Uí Riada.

The judges for this year’s competitions were Máire Ní Choilm, Mairéad Ní Oistín and Áine Uí Laoithe. In each competition, the singers perform a slow sean-nós song and then a number of singers are called back to perform a second, faster song. Singers who have won the competition three times can no longer compete.

For the results of all 2024 Oireachtas competitions, visit www.antoireachtas.ie.

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