Singing Sessions
This year Fleadh Nua will honour Rita Gallagher, from Killygordon, Co. Donegal, winner of the Singer of the Year, Gradam Ceoil TG4 2017, Mary Brogan from Co. Wexford and Goretti Molloy from Co. Armagh.
The Fleadh Nua Singing Sessions will take place on Friday 26th, Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th May and will be hosted by Joe O’Connor and will feature a number of well-known performers.
Rita Gallagher
Amhránaí na bliana TG 4 2017
Temple Gate Hotel - Friday 26th May 9.30pm
Originally from Frosses in south Donegal, Rita has been living at Crossroads, Killygordon for many years. Although she always sang, she only came to traditional singing in her early twenties, and went on to compete at several Fleadhanna , winning the All Ireland title on three successive years, She considers it a great joy and privilege to be able to sing and her contribution to the promotion and preservation of the singing tradition is enormous, Her Albums "The May Morning Dew" and "The Heathery Hills" contain some of the greatest Sean nós singing ever recorded. Rita is a master of the art of sean nós singing and her singing is as close to perfection as you're ever going to hear .Many of her songs are considered the definitive versions.
She regularly conducts singing workshops.
Mary and Tim Brogan
Temple Gate Hotel - Saturday 27th May 9.30pm
Mary was All Ireland Champion on mouth organ in 1974 and 1977. She was also All Ireland Traditional singing Champion on two occasions..
Her family the Wilsons of Ballydawmore were well known in the parish of Monageer (Enniscorthy) and surrounding parishes as traditional Irish musicians and singers. . Her mother Mary Wilson, was a very good singer and also played melodeon in a local band,. Her father Tom Wilson was also a good singer as was his brother Peter. Mary Brogan, played the mouthorgan and took up singing from an early age. The famous pipers Felix and Johnny Doran used to travel to the area once a year for a week or so and make camp at the end of the lane from where they strolled up to the house for many a good session. With her husband Tim she formed a branch of Comhaltas in Monageer in 1970. To this day the branch in is very active. Mary and Tim RIP were regular visitors at An Fleadh Nua for many years.
Goretti Molloy
Temple Gate Hotel - Sunday 28th May 9.30pm
Goretti Molloy was born and reared in Co Armagh where she still lives. Her family was steeped in tradition and she learned most of her songs from her father James Mc Grane , a well known traditional singer. She has appeared on stage many times as a member of Armagh County Orchestra and played piano with Ceili Bands for a number of years. Married to Vivian they are two of the founder members of Portmor Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann in 1984 and also founder members of The Ulster Traditional Singers along with Tommy and Patricia Dunn from Derry. She has attended numerous Fleadh Cheoils and musical and singing sessions for over 40 years. Travelling with a group from Ti Cullian her love of singing and music has taken her to France on several occasions. Goretti is a much loved and respected member of the singing community and family throughout Ireland and further afield.