University of Limerick students leading new RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta series

A talented group of students from University of Limerick's Irish World Academy of Music and Dance are helming a new series of Ar Bhruach na Sionainne on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta this summer.

The series of four programmes, the first of which will be broadcast on 18 June 2024 at 1.30pm, will feature music recorded live in UL with a variety of students from Léann na Gaeilge and the Irish World Academy, as well as guests and members of the university community, with each programme presented by a student.

Ar Bhruach na Sionainne, which translates as ‘On the banks of the Shannon’, will air every Tuesday from June 18th on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. The programmes can also be found on the RTÉ Radio Player.

The four programmes will be broadcast on a weekly basis every Tuesday from June 18 through to July 9th on Raidió na Gaeltachta.

This initiative was first pioneered by Léann na Gaeilge lecturer and piper Máire Ní Ghráda and RTÉ RnaG presenter and producer Áine Hensey in 2015.

This year, Máire and Áine were joined by lecturers Sorcha de Brún of Léann na Gaeilge, Róisín Ní Ghallóglaigh and Conor Caldwell of the Irish World Academy, in the organisation of the project.

Funded by Aonad na Gaeilge, the office of the Dean of AHSS, and the Irish World Academy, Ar Bhruach na Sionainne is designed to give students an understanding of the processes and preparation involved in media work through Irish, working in collaboration, writing scripts and presenting, as well as the careful process of scheduling and choosing a balance of musical pieces and instruments.

Many of these young people are considering a professional music career. 

Each programme will feature a range of traditional music, and students as well as lecturers Conor, Róisín and Sorcha took part in each programme. 

The full list of presenters are Síofra Devine (June 18); Alex Gregg (June 25); Ciara Geaney (2nd July); and Katie Sands (9th July).  

Tá tús curtha le Sceideal an tSamhraidh ar RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, agus beidh sraith nua den chlár Ar Bhruach na Sionainne le cloisteáil gach Máirt ag 1.30 pm mar chuid de shraith an tSamhraidh 2024.

Ceithre chlár ar fad a bheidh ann, agus craolfar an chéad cheann 18 Meitheamh 2024 ar 1.30pm. 

Beidh ceol beo den scoth i gceist leis an gclár, a taifeadadh in Ollscoil Luimnigh, agus ar ghlac mic léinn, aíonna agus baill foirne páirt ann.

Is iad mic léinn Dámh Chruinne Éireann agus Léann na Gaeilge Síofra Devine, Ciara Geaney, Alex Gregg agus  Katie Sands a chuir na cláir le chéile agus a bheidh le cloisteáil mar láithreoirí ar na cláracha éagsúla.

Beidh súil ag cuid de na mic léinn seo a dhul leis an gceol mar ghairm bheatha, agus tugann an taithí seo ag obair ar an tsraith raidió tuiscint dóibh ar an obair, na próisís agus an t-ullmhúchán a bhíonn i gceist leis na meáin.  

B'iad Áine Hensey, RTÉ RnaG, agus an léachtóir agus an píobaire aitheanta Máire Ní Ghráda ó Léann na Gaeilge, Ollscoil Luimnigh, a chuir tús leis an togra ceannródaíoch seo an chéad lá sa bhliain 2015.

I mbliana, tháinig an Dr Sorcha de Brún (Léann na Gaeilge) an Dr Róisín Ní Ghallóglaigh agus an Dr Conor Caldwall (Dámh Chruinne Éireann) ar bord leis an togra a stiúradh agus le dreas ceoil a sheinnt chomh maith. 

Maoinithe ag Aonad na Gaeilge, ag oifig an Déin in AHSS, agus ag Dámh Chruinne Éireann, beidh togha agus rogha den cheol traidisiúnta le cloisteáil i ngach uile chlár. Is féidir teacht ar phodchraoltaí an chláir ach dul chuig.

Is iad láithreoirí Ar Bhruach na Sionainne ná Síofra Devine (Meitheamh 18); Alex Gregg (Meitheamh 25); Ciara Geaney (Iúil 2); agus Katie Sands (Iúil 9).