A group from Meánscoil San Nioclás in An Rinn, Co. Waterford, has won this year’s Siansa Gael Linn competition, taking away €2500 prize money and the trophy after the finals last night in the National Concert Hall, which were attended by the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins.

The group of seven, calling themselves Nuada, is made up of three brothers, Pax (fiddle and whistle), Cárthach (accordion) and Macdara Ó Faoláin (bouzouki and harmonica), and Aoife Nic Giolla Phádraig (concertina and harp), Rebecca Saich (concertina), Caoimhín Ó Cionnfhaoladh (bodhrán, guitar) and Tomás Ó Dálaigh (fiddle).

Frioscaí from Raheny, Dublin, came second (awarded €1,250), and Na Fataí Fánacha from Coláistí Eoin and Íosagáin, Dublin, came third (awarded €750). Two other performing groups were from Limerick: Eile from Laurel Hill, FCJ and Anois is Arís from Castletroy College. Sligo was represented by Spréach from the Grammar School (where the top prize went last year), Galway by Cumasc of Corofin, and Derry by Cóiriú from St Mary’s of Magherafelt.

The judges were Mary Bergin, Ciarán Ó Maonaigh and Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich, and the event was hosted by Áine Hensey for Raidió na Gaeltachta. It was filmed by TG4 for broadcast on Wednesday, 24 April, at 10.30pm.

gael-linn.ie