University of Limerick students take to the airwaves with RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta

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

The series of six programmes, which started last week, feature music recorded live in UL with a variety of guests and members of the university community, with each programme presented by two students.   

Many of these young people are considering a professional music career and this initiative, pioneered by lecturer and musician Máire Ní Ghráda and RTÉ RnaG presenter and producer Áine Hensey, is designed to give them an understanding of the processes and preparation involved in media work. 

The programmes are brimful of traditional music, often with a twist, and some of the more unusual pieces include tracks on sarod (a stringed instrument used mainly in Hindustani music) by Matthew Noone, traditional music on saxophone by Laura Doherty and Fiona Kirwin, and lilting by Alison Hayes. 

Ar Bhruach na Sionainne, which translates as ‘On the banks of the Shannon’, will air every Tuesday at 1.30 pm on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, with a repeat every Saturday morning at 10.30 am. They can also be found on the RTÉ Radio Player. 

The full list of presenters is Chloe Feeney and Cieara Kilkenny; Baylea Grace and Eimear Barrett;  George Kenny and Fiona Kirwin; Alison Hayes and Kieva McGonagle; Orla Cleary and Orla O’Brien; and Cionnaith Ó Conalláin and Susan Ní Dhonnchadha.

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 dó, le hathchraoladh maidin Dé Sathairn ag 10.30 am.

Beidh ceol beo den scoth, a taifeadadh in Ollscoil Luimnigh, le cloisteáil sna cláracha, a bheidh á gcur i láthair ag mic léinn as Dámh Chruinne Éireann, Rince agus Ceol, san ollscoil.  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 agus an t-ullmhúchán a bhíonn i gceist leis na meáin.  Is iad Áine Hensey, RTÉ RnaG, agus an léachtóir Máire Ní Ghráda ó Ollscoil Luimnigh, a stiúraíonn an togra seo.  

Ar chuid den cheol neamhghnách a bheidh le cloisteáil againn sa tsraith seo i mbliana, beidh ceol ar an sarod le Matthew Noone, ceol traidisiúnta ar an sacsafón le Laura Doherty agus Fiona Kirwin, agus portaireacht béil le hAlison Hayes.  

Ar chuid de na ceoltóirí eile a bheidh le cloisteáil sa tsraith beidh Cathal Ó Curráin, Shane McGrath, Brian Ó Broin agus Tara Howley.  

Is iad na láithreoirí Chloe Feeney agus Cieara Kilkenny; Baylea Grace agus Eimear Barrett;  George Kenny agus Fiona Kirwin; Alison Hayes agus Kieva McGonagle; Orla Cleary agus Orla O’Brien; agus Cionnaith Ó Conalláin agus Susan Ní Dhonnchadha.