Bláithín Mhic Cana
Is minic a deirtear go mbíonn amhránaithe ag tarraingt as tobar an dúchais agus is fíor sin. Ach tá meafar eile ann a bhfuil an tábhacht chéanna agus an fhírinne chéanna ag baint leis i gcomhthéacs na hamhránaíochta dúchasaigh. Is é an meafar atá i gceist ná an droichead.
Tá amhránaithe ar leith ann a thumann iad fhéin i ndúchas a gceantar fhéin agus a oibríonn chun an dúchas sin a bhreith leo ach ní hamháin sin déanann siad iarracht speisialta an saibhreas a bhaineann le dúchas a gceantar fhéin a chur ar aghaidh agus a scaipeadh i measc a bpobal fhéin. Le fírinne feidhmíonn amhránaithe mar seo mar dhroichead, iad ag breith leo síolta an traidisiúin ó thaobh amháin na habhann trasna go dtí an bruach eile.
Tháinig Bláithín Mhic Cana faoi thionchar Phádraigín Ní Uallacháin a raibh a cuid fhéin déanta aici roimhe sin ar son dúchas Oirialla ach tá Bláithín le tamall anois ag saothrú an traidisiúin agus á bhreith sin léi trasna an droichid agus á thabhairt ar aghaidh go dtí an chéad ghlúin eile ina pobal fhéin. Is de bharr an meas sin a bheith aici orthu siúd a bhí ann roimpi chomh maith le meas a bheith aici orthu siúd atá ag teacht ina diaidh a bhfuil Gradam Shean-Nós Cois Life á bhronnadh uirthi i mbliana.
It is often said that the traditional singer draws constantly from the well of tradition, and this is true. But we could also use another metaphor which carries as much weight and truth in the context of traditional singing. And that is the metaphor of a bridge.
There are particular singers who immerse themselves in the cultural traditions of their own area and who devote themselves to embracing and taking on the wealth and richness offered by those traditions but who equally devote themselves to passing on and to spreading that richness among their own community. In truth these singers act as bridges carrying the seeds of tradition from one side of the river across to the other bank.
Bláithín Mhic Cana came under the influence of Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin who herself has ploughed her own furrows in the rich soil of the Oriel traditions, but Bláithín has for some time now been tending that soil herself and has been carrying the seeds of these traditions across the bridge to plant among younger generations of singers in her community who are now following after. It is because of this respect which she has for both the carriers of tradition who have gone before her and also for those younger generations following on after her that the Gradam Shean-Nós Cois Life award is being presented to her in 2024.

Eolas faoin nGradam.
Is in 1992 a bunaíodh an fhéile Sean-Nós Cois Life rud a chiallaíonn go mbeidh an 33ú féile á ceiliúradh againn in 2024. Ón gcéad fhéile a bhí againn in 1992 tá muid ag cur amhránaíocht dhúchasach na Gaeilge chun cinn ar bhealach oscailte fáiltiúil.  Bronntar Gradam Shean-Nós Cois Life gach bliain ar dhuine nó ar dhaoine a meastar go bhfuil saibhriú faoi leith déanta acu ar amhránaíocht dhúchasach na Gaeilge thar na blianta.

The Sean-Nós Cois Life festival was first founded in 1992 so 2023 sees us celebrate our 32nd festival. From 1992 to the present moment the Sean-Nós Cois Life festival has been encouraging traditional singing in the Irish language in an open, friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The Gradam Shean-Nós Cois Life award is presented each year in recognition of the special contribution made by the recipient(s) to traditional singing in the Irish language.

Gradam Shean-Nós Cois Life 2024
Is cúis áthais dúinn a fhógairt go mbeidh Gradam Shean-Nós Cois Life 2024 á bhronnadh ar an amhránaí Bláithín Mhic Cana ó Ghaeltacht athnuaite Oirialla.
Bronnfar an gradam ag seisiún mór amhránaíochta agus ceoil ar an Satharn 13 Aibreán 2024 i gClub na Múinteoirí, 36 Cearnóg Pharnell Thiar,  ag tosú ag 8pm. Fáilte roimh chách chuig an gceiliúradh seo áit a mbeidh seans agat cúpla amhrán a chasadh agus cúpla tiúin a sheinm inár dteannta!

The SNCL award for 2024 will be presented to Bláithín Mhic Cana from the renewed Oirialla Gaeltacht.
The award will be presented during a singing and music session on Saturday, 13th April 2024 in the Teacher's Club, 36 Parnell Square West, starting at 8pm. All are welcome to join this celebration and you may even get to sing a song or play a few tunes with us.