Mayo musicians qualify for Siansa Gael Linn final

A GROUP of Mayo teenage musicians have qualified as finalists of Siansa Gael Linn, one of the country's most prestigious competitions for young traditional Irish music and singing groups. The final takes place on Sunday, April 14, in the National Concert Hall, Dublin.

Luasc (Irish for Swing) is made up up of Áine Fitzgerald, Molly Pittendrigh, Niamh Doherty, Saoirse Moran, Diarmuid Swift, Evan Dillion, Cillian Gallagher and Mark Bolger.

Mentored by multi-instrumentalist and composer Stephen Doherty, the group have already successfully made their way through two rounds of the competition and are the only group from the west of Ireland to make it to the final.

“The musicality and technical ability of this young group is at a serious level, it's been great working with them on this musical journey and they've gone from strength to strength over the past number of months,” said Stephen.

No stranger to the competition, Stephen successfully mentored Armoin, who came second in the national final last year.

Group coordinator Eileen Bolger said: “The group are indebted to Stephen for all his expert guidance - they will be performing some of Stephen's own compositions at the final. A special word also for Mags Gallen, for all her help with the song, chosen by the group.

“ Rehearsals have been taking place in Foxford and the Bridge, Castlebar, in preparation for the national competition and a special word of thanks to the Swift family and Tom Doherty for all the help along the way.”

Luasc are competing against seven other groups from Kildare, Clare, Longford, Wexford, Tipperary, Laois and Cork.

The competition will be broadcast on Radio na Gaeltachta at 7.30 p.m. for anyone who wants to tune in and enjoy a night of music and song.

With a prize fund of €4,500, the competition, run entirely through the medium of Irish, is organised by Gael Linn with support from RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and Irish Music Magazine.

A limited number of tickets for the event are available on https://www.nch.ie/.