Please join the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies for a public conversation with award-winning sean-nós singer Gearoidín Breathnach and Prof. Rory Rapple on the history and cultural importance of sean-nós singing in Ireland.
The conversation will be followed by a performance by Gearoidín Breathnach at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center's Patricia George Decio Theatre at 7:30 pm. This performance is a free but ticketed event. Please visit the event webpage to reserve your tickets.
About Gearoidín Breathnach
Gearoidín Breathnach is a distinguished Irish sean-nós singer, storyteller, author, and composer, deeply rooted in the rich oral traditions of Donegal. Profoundly influenced by her father, the esteemed seanchaí Neidí Frainc Mac Grianna, she inherited a love for storytelling and a vast knowledge of Irish folklore that continues to shape her artistic legacy.
From an early age, Breathnach embraced the art of sean-nós singing, refining a style that seamlessly blends haunting melody with lyrical depth. Her dedication to this ancient craft has earned her the highest honors, including the prestigious Corn Uí Riada at Oireachtas na Gaeilge, which she has won three times (1996, 2004, and 2024). Beyond her celebrated singing career, she is a gifted storyteller, a skill formally recognized with an award named in memory of her father, further cementing her role as a guardian of Irish oral heritage.
Breathnach has enriched the sean-nós tradition with her original compositions, weaving poetic lyricism with deep emotion. Among her most acclaimed works are An Loch sa Ghleann, Mo Sheanchara Dílse, and Mí na Súil Buí each capturing the soul of Irish music and storytelling. She has also played a pivotal role in preserving Irish folklore through modern media, collaborating with television productions on Seanchas Cholmcille, an audiovisual tribute to the myths and legends of Saint Colmcille.
Beyond her contributions to music and folklore, Breathnach is a renowned children's author, bringing the magic of Irish storytelling to younger generations through books such as Cathal Coinín agus Cairde Beaga Eile. Her commitment to education and cultural preservation has made her an inspiration to emerging artists and storytellers, ensuring that Ireland’s oral traditions continue to thrive.
A highly esteemed figure in the world of Irish traditional arts, Gearoidín Breathnach has shared her talents on global stages, captivating audiences with the power and beauty of sean-nós singing and storytelling. Through her dedication, artistry, and passion, she has left an indelible mark on the cultural heritage of Ireland, earning recognition and admiration both at home and abroad.
Originally published at irishstudies.nd.edu.