Bhfuil sibh linn ag éisteacht? Corn Uí Riada, the premier competition for the highest art-form in Gaelic culture, amhránaíocht ar an seannós, is in full swing. In between answering the door to throngs of kids out for Oíche Shamhna, pour yourself a glass of something fine and do your soul some good by listening to a couple of hours of rare talent and beautiful songs.
Beidh amhránaí den scoth ar an ardán agus na hamhráin móra á casadh acu – agus bíonn ard-ealaín le chloisteáil an seachtain ar fad.
You can watch it live on TG4 or listen on RnG or see it here on TG4’s Seinteoir.
Mar a dhúirt mé cheana: We have become so attuned to hearing over-produced, over-arranged, over-stylised music that we can forget the astonishing power of the unaccompanied human voice and its impact not just on our emotions but our souls. There’s nothing raw or primitive about seannós – this is a high-art form which often utilises ancient poems and airs that either still exist from a time which Gaelic culture was in its ascendancy, or are strongly influenced by it.
If you want to feel that start of recognition, the uniquely beautiful sound that Tony MacMahon said has the impact of an iron spike entering your soul, have a listen to what are often ancient and gloriously complex songs and sounds, and marvel in the elaborate ornamentation and the singers who has such command of these songs that it often seems that both song and singer are in an intricate series of movements with each other.
Corn Uí Riada, named after the legendary composer and musician Séan Ó Riada, is the big prize of the weekend, and is only open to those who have proved their worth by winning other competitions at the Oireachtas in other years. Amongst those bouts are Comórtas na bhFear (the Men’s competitons) and Comórtas na mBan (the Women’s competition), which took place last night and on Thursday (see below).
You’d stand in the snow to hear this evocative, powerful singing. Sheasfá sa sneachta chun éisteacht leo.
Here’s last year’s Corn Uí Riada competition in full if you to listen back after tonight – or listen to the 2022 winner, the brilliant Bríd Ní Mhaoilchiarán, below, singing her second song – by the competition rules a lively one in the shortlist recall – Caisleán a’ tSléibhe, or Nollaig Ní Laoire in wonderful full flow.
If you enjoy Corn Uí Riada, make it a key bucket list item to get to the Oireachtas soon. It’s the best promise to yourself that you can keep.