THE granddaughter of one Ireland’s most revered traditional music composers and arrangers, Seán Ó Riada will perform in Clonakilty this upcoming bank holiday weekend. 

Acclaimed traditional musician, sean-nós singer and storyteller Doireann Ní Ghlacáin will play in De Barra’s on October 28th as part of her debut solo tour. 

Called ‘Studies on the Cailleach’ she says it’s a ‘spellbinding exploration of myth, music, and modern womanhood.’

The performance reimagines the figure of the Cailleach, a powerful spirit-woman of Irish folklore, weaving together traditional music, sean-nós song, and storytelling to ask what she can reveal about contemporary Irish identity.

Over the course of an hour, Ní Ghlacáin guides audiences through a rich tapestry of reflection and ritual, creating an immersive experience that is both ancient and urgently present.

As the Cailleach retreats into her winter slumber, the audience too is invited to slow down, to listen, and to connect with the unseen.

Ní Ghlacáin is one of Ireland’s most distinctive cultural voices.

A gifted fiddler and sean-nós singer, she has performed on stages across Ireland and beyond.

Her grandfather, who lived in Cúl Aodha, is best known for his piece Mise Éire and the Cork International Choral Festival is now accepting entries from Irish composers for the 2026 Seán Ó Riada Composition Competition. 

Judged by a panel of experts and composers of international renown, the competition awards a cash prize (kindly donated by the Ó Ríada family) and the Seán Ó Riada Trophy to the winning composer, and the selected piece will in turn be given its premiere performance by Chamber Choir Ireland at the Festival’s Gala Concert held in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral on Friday 1st May 2026

The Seán Ó Riada Competition was created in 1972 in recognition of the creative life and work of Seán Ó Riada who died in 1971. 

While the format has evolved over the years, the focus has always been on bringing both traditional and new pieces of Irish music to life and to new audiences, as well as encouraging the composition of contemporary music as Gaeilge.

The current format focuses on new works from Irish composers and has a novel approach of scores being entered under pseudonym to protect the identity of the composer.   

The winning composition will be selected by a panel of composers and choral experts.

The selected composition will receive its premiere performance during the Festival at a Gala Concert given by Chamber Choir Ireland.

The composer of the work will be invited to attend the festival as its guest. Closing date for entries is December 5th.