THE 2015 Gaelic Voices Festival Competition was won by London-based sean nós singer Aine Morrissey.
Now in its fourth year, the annual festival celebrates the creativity and vibrancy of Gaelic languages and culture – and offers a rare opportunity for London audiences to hear the best of Gaelic song from Ireland, Scotland and The Isle of Man.
Ms Morrisey, a native Irish speaker from the Connemara Gaeltacht, sang a traditional sean nós song in the competition, which took place last month.
She is also a member of the Irish Pensioners Choir, who this year competed in the festival for the first time, with the support of the Irish Elderly Advice Network’s new Culture Office.
Nora Mulready, of the Irish Elders Culture Office, said: “We are all delighted for Aine and very proud of her achievement. She has shown again what a great contribution older Irish people are making to the preservation of Irish culture here in Britain.”
James McDonald, Organiser of the Gaelic Voices Festival, added: “One of the highlights of the Gaelic Voices Festival is to hear new voices each year and this year we were blessed to have Ann Morrissey of the Irish Pensioners Choir on stage singing ar an sean nós.”
He added: “Ann was the winner of this year’s Gaelic Voices Singing Competition in the Gaelic Language category and showed what a wonderful ambassador she is for the singing tradition. We look forward to hearing her sing again soon and often!”
