In pictures: Tory's Séarlas Ó Baoill's win at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann celebrated

Sean-nós singing in the Donegal Gaeltacht enjoyed a great year in 2024. Please click on the arrows to go through the gallery

A proud Shéarlais with his two Cups

The greatest achievement so far was young Séarlas Ó Baoill from Tory Island’s historical win at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

Séarlas won the Thomas McDonagh Cup for under-12 singing in Irish in Wexford, a singular achievement, believed to be a first for the county and certainly for the island.

Although not yet 12 at the time, Charles won top marks from the adjudicators. He also won the Donegal Fleadh and coming second to Iarlaith Ó Dochartaigh of Scoil Mhín Tine Dé in the Ulster Fleadh, this qualified him to progress to Wexford. 

A celebration night was held in Ionad Pobail Mhachaire Rabhartaigh.

Tá suim mhór aige in amhráin agus ceol an oileáin, áit a mbíonn sé páirteach in imeachtaí cultúir agus soisialta I gcuideachta léar mór dena ghaolta a cheolann fosta. Tory has a very strong and vibrant singing tradition with a huge number of songs associated with the island.

Séarlas comes from this tradition and lots of family and friends were in Wexford to celebrate the win. He collected his medal but didn’t realise there was a cup in the office also. He arrived home with his gold medal, the first from the island to get a gold All-Ireland medal at the Fleadh.

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It was decided to present him with a special cup to honour the win. Lots of fine singers from the surrounding area attended the night, among them Noleen Ní Cholla who also won gold in the senior competition for Amhránaíocht ar an Sean-Nós. The lively music for dancing was provided by Martin Ó Dúgáin, Bernard Toland, Hugo Ó Baoill and Séamus Ó Curráin. This was interspersed with many fine singers and recitations. Fear agus Bean an Tí were Brian Ó Domhnaill and Diane Cannon and refreshments for the evening were provided by Ionad Mhachaire Rabhartaigh. Agus is iad a bhí blasta!!!

The Tomás Mac Donnacha Cup was presented to Séarlas by Siobhán Ní Chonaráin, Ard Oifig Chomhaltais Cheoltóirí Éireann who travelled all the way from Dublin for the special occasion and who was so impressed with the talent performing. A special cup to honour the Tory singing tradition was presented to Eamon Graham, chair of the Ulster branch of Comhaltas.

Corn Cheoltóirí Thoraí will be awarded to the winner of the under-12 competition winner at Ulster level. Proud parents Anna Ní Mhíocháin Uí Bhaoill and Pádraig G. Ó Baoill joined other relatives and many well-wishers, singers, dancers and musicians, in a fitting and enthusiastic exhibition of the best of Donegal traditional arts. The future for traditional song in Donegal seems very bright. Is cinnte gur oíche speisialta a bhí ann, oíche a mbeidh cuimhe uirthi go ceann fada go háirithe do Shéarlas Ó Baoill.