Booterstown bards compete for traditional prize

The traditional music group Na Fataí Fánacha, from Coláistí Eoin and Íosagáin, Booterstown, are hoping to hit the right note at the Siansa Gael Linn All-Ireland Final in the National Concert Hall on Sunday, April 29.

The young musicians (Cathal � Crócaigh, Fionn Mac Muiris, Conor Leavy, Seán �g Mac Chinnéide, Philip �g Denmead, Doireann Ní Ghlacáin, Martha Ní Chianáin and Pádraig �g Mac Aodhagáin) have qualified through two rounds of this prestigious competition since December to clinch a much coveted place among the finalists.

Teachers Proinsias de Poire and Tom Doorley are justifiably proud of their group’s success to date. They will compete along with seven other talented teenage groups from for a prize fund of

?¬4,500. Each group will perform their own 10 to 12 minute selection of traditional music and song on the night in what promises to be a fantastic concert.

Siansa Gael Linn 2012 kicked off in December last, and the eight finalists have qualified through two preliminary rounds of the competition since then.

To aid the creative process, the young musicians were given an opportunity to attend workshops with Síle Denvir and Breanndán � Beaglaoich. Síle, an accomplished harpist and singer, is a member of the group Liadán, and Breanndán is a renowned box-player and singer and member of the group, Boys of the Lough.

Having given the young musicians tips and advice at the workshops, they will now judge the final alongside Donegal fiddler, Ciarán � Maonaigh, founder of the group

‘Fidil’.

There is no doubt that there will be a high standard of music and fierce competition on the night. A total of

?¬2,500 and the Gael Linn trophy will be awarded to the overall winners; those in second place will be awarded

?¬1,250 while the group in third place will receive

?¬750.

These groups will also have their winning performances released on CD in due course. A memento of the occasion will also be presented to every member of each group who will participate in the final.

Previous participants in Siansa Gael Linn are enjoying success in the world of music. The 2010 winners

‘Ioscaid’, who hail from Northern Ireland, picked up the BB2 Young Folk Award 2012 recently, while Caoimhín Ã? Fearghaíl, the newly-crowned TGG Young Musician of the Year was a member of the group

‘Fionnuar’.

The Siansa Gael Linn Grand Finale will be broadcast live from the National Concert Hall on RT� Raidió na Gaeltachta on Sunday, April 29 at 7.30pm and will be presented by Áine Hensey.

A limited amount of tickets for the event are still available from the National Concert Hall on 01-4170000 /www.nch.ie.