The shortlist for the Pan Celtic National Song Contest 2017 has been announced.
There was an unprecedented response to the call for submissions for this year’s Pan Celtic National Song Contest with newly composed songs coming from across the country. Over 40 entries were received and from those a shortlist of 18 songs will compete in the live final in the Seven Oaks Hotel on Saturday, 25th of February.
Entrants to this year’s competition came from far and wide and finalists will travel to Carlow from Galway, Mayo, Kerry, Cork, Clare, Dublin, Laois, Kildare and Westmeath to take part in the live show. A number of Carlow locals have also made the final and will compete for the big prize in February.
Songs will be performed by soloists and groups on the night in front of a panel of well known judges and a live audience. Songs will then be judged based on the words, the music and the live performance. They will cross a number of styles from rock, pop and folk to traditional and classical. Three prizes will be awarded on the night, €100 for third place, €200 for second place and a grand prize of €1,000 and the Pan Celtic National Song Contest trophy going to first place and the overall winning song. The contest is kindly supported by main sponsor IMRO in conjunction with Gael Linn, Glór Cheatharlach and Pan Celtic.
The winner of the National Song Contest will have the honour of representing Ireland in the Pan Celtic International Song Contest during the festival in Carlow in April where they will compete with entries from visiting nations Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall and the Isle of Man. The contest is one of the highlights of the festival which runs from April 18th-22nd in Carlow.
Tickets for the National Song Contest in the Seven Oaks Hotel on February 25th cost €10 and will be available on the door on the night. Doors will open at 7.30pm with the show kicking off at 8pm. A fantastic evening’s entertainment is guaranteed and the event is not to be missed.
Shortlist
1.Emily Ní Dhubhghaill – ‘Póigíní Gréine’ (Cill Dara)
2. Máire Uí Ghrifín – ‘Amhrán mo Mháthar’ (Ceatharlach)
3.Naosán Moore – ‘Grá ‘s Cuimhní’ (An Iarmhí)
4.Sharon Ní Chuilibín – ‘Tar Liom’ (Baile Átha Cliath)
5.Meabh Ní Sheireadáin ‘Inis Dom’ (Maigh Eo)
6.Damian Mac Gabhann – ‘Sháraigh Mé É’ (Baile Átha Cliath)
7.Nick Nolan – ‘Coinnigh Siar Breacadh an Lae’ (Baile Átha Cliath)
8.Sonny Ní Chathasaigh – ‘Beagáinín Grá’ (Gaillimh)
9.Eilín Ní Bheaglaoich – ‘Fan Socair’ (Ciarraí)
10.Seán Monaghan – ‘Thit Murphy Amach as an Trailer’ (Gaillimh)
11.Pádraig Jack – ‘Brú do Bhealach Féin’ (Oileán Árann, Gaillimh)
12.Paul Ó Colmáin – ‘Amhrán an Iascaire’ (Corcaigh)
13.Clíona Nic Dhomhnaill – ‘Ag Seasamh le Mo Réaltaí’ (Co. Laoise)
14.Eva Kavanagh – ‘Irrus Domnann’ (Ceatharlach)
15.Geróid Ó Murchú – ‘Tiocfaidh an Lá’ (Gaillimh)
16.Méabh Ní Bheaglaoich – ‘Amhrán na nGael’ (Ciarraí)
17.Emer O’Flaherty – ‘Taibhse’ (An Clár)
18.Tadhg Ó Grifín – ‘Abhainn an Ghrá’ (Ceatharlach)
