Details of the 2018 Pan Celtic National Song Contest were announced recently and a top cash prize of €1,000 will be awarded to the winning composer in addition to the song going forward to represent Ireland at the Pan Celtic International Song Contest next April.
The competition to find newly composed songs in the Irish language was launched recently and is open to all styles whether traditional, pop, rock, country, jazz or classical with soloists, groups and bands all welcome to compete.
2018 will be the seventh year for the popular competition to take place in Carlow. Main sponsor of the contest is IMRO and the competition attracts entries of the highest quality from across the country. National winner of the 2017 song contest Emer O’Flaherty, went on to win the Pan Celtic International Song Contest with her jazz number ‘Taibhse’ and has had a hugely successful year including performing at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and at the Electric Picnic.
The closing date for receipt of entries for the 2018 national Song Contest is Friday, 26 January at 5pm. Entries will then be shortlisted and finalists will compete live at the gala finals on Saturday, 10 March in the Seven Oaks Hotel under the musical direction of Ollie Hennessey. A panel of judges will choose the winning song to go forward to represent Ireland at the International Pan Celtic Festival 2018 which will be held in Letterkenny next April where it will go head to head with the national winners from Wales, Scotland, Brittany, Cornwall and the Isle of Man.
Full rules on the competition and application forms are available now on www.panceltic.ie Details also from Glór Cheatharlach on 085 1340047, 087 2857048 or email pancelticcarlow@nullgmail.com
