Cill na Martra celebrates life of Seán Ó Síocháin
THE life and legacy of singer and former director general of the GAA Seán Ó Síocháin will be celebrated in his home village of Cill na Martra on March 10 .
A familiar voice on Radio Éireann in the middle of the last century on programmes such as ‘Ireland is Singing’, ‘Round the Fire’, and ‘Balladmakers’ Saturday Night’, baritone Ó Síocháin sang in both English and Irish and was credited with popularising the Sigerson Clifford song ‘ The Boys of Barr na Sráide’.
Ó Síocháin (1914-1997), who played football for both Dublin and Cork, succeeded Pádraig Ó Caoimh as general secretary of the GAA in 1964, becoming the association’s first director general in 1972 and remaining in the position until his retirement in 1979.
A bust of Ó Síocháin forms the centrepiece of the village of Cill na Martra, which hosts the Comóradh Sheáin Uí Shíocháin festival in his honour on Saturday, March 10.
Hosted jointly by Cumann Peile Cill na Martra and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Craobh Lachtaín Naofa, the comóradh features music, song, and language activities, including a singing contest for adults for the Corn Sheáin Uí Shíocháin.
The competition, won in previous years by Gobnait Ní Chrualaoi and Siobhán Ní Mhuimhneacháin, is open to singers of traditional songs in both Irish and English.
Competitions for singers aged U18 and U15 will also be held, along with music competitions for under 18s and under 15s on all instruments.
New for this year’s festival is a competition aimed at young musicians gaining confidence, and confined to those who have not previously won prizes at Comhaltas competitions such as Fleadh Cheoil or Ceol an Gheimhridh, with sections for under 10, under 12, and under 15 years.
Also new are Comhrá Gaeilge Irish conversation competitions at under 8, under 10, and under 12 age levels. Entries cost €2 for children and €5 for adults, and names of those competing must be emailed in advance to maireprohus@ hotmail.com