Conamara singer Sarah Ghriallais has been appointed Sean-nós Singer-in-Residence for 2017 at NUI Galway’s Centre for Irish Studies.

Originally from Muiceanach, Co. Galway, Ghriallais has long been acknowledged as a sean-nós singer of exceptional talent, winning the Corn Uí Riada award at the Oireachtas for the first time in 1984. That same prize has also been taken home by her son Michael, her sisters Nóra and Nan, and her niece Celia Ní Fhátharta. Some of the songs that are most associated with Ghriallas include ‘Amhrán Mhuighinse’, ‘Sagart na Cúile Báine’, ‘Condae Mhaigh Eo’, ‘Táilliúir an Mhagaidh’ and ‘Eileanóir na Rún’.

Ghriallais has recorded on the Cló Iar-Chonnacht label, and also featured on the Roger Doyle CD, Under the Green Time.

To begin her residency, Ghriallais will give a series of five sean-nós singing workshops at the Centre for Irish Studies, beginning on Wednesday,8 February at 7pm. Workshops are free and open to all.

The Sean-nós Singer-in-Residence scheme is run with support from Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta and the Arts Council. Previous singers-in-residence include Bríd Ní Mhaoilchiaráin, Treasa Ní Mhiolláin, Máire Ní Mhaoilchiaráin, Joe John Mac An Iomaire and Josie Sheáin Jeaic Mac Donncha. 

The Centre for Irish Studies has also hosted several sean-nós dancers-in-residence including Róisín Ní Mhainín, Pádraic Ó hOibicín, Gearóid Ó Dubháín and Seosamh Ó Neachtain.

For more on the Centre, visit www.nuigalway.ie/centre_irish_studies