NUI Galway’s Centre for Irish Studies has announced the appointment of Gearóid Ó Dubháin as Sean-nós Dancer in Residence for 2014.

A native of Ardmore, Connemara, Gearóid draws his dancing from both sides of his family. Séamus Ó Dubháin (or Séamusín Devaney as he is widely known) is a well-known sean-nós dancer, as was his father before him, Colm Ó Dubháin and his brother Joe. Annie, his father’s sister is also a renowned dancer. Sean-nós dancing runs through the generations, as Gearóid’s own brother Pádraig is known in his own right for his award-winning sean-nós style. Dancing was also in Gearóid’s mother’s family and the strength of this family background contributes to his own dance style and skill.

Gearóid has been successful in many competitions including: Oireachtas na Samhnna (2010), Craobh na hÉireann (2011), Féile na Mí (2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012), Féile Chóilín Clesham and many others. Now teaching workshops to young and old throughout Galway, Gearóid also gives workshops and master classes nationally. Key to Gearóid’s teaching and performance philosophy is to keep faithful to the older dance style of his father, and this is apparent in his dancing.

During his residency, Gearóid will participate in a series of performances and workshops at the Centre for Irish Studies and other venues in Galway. A selection of his repertoire will also be recorded to deposit in the Sean-nós Archive at the Centre for Irish Studies. 

Sean-nós dance workshops will take place at 7pm in the Aula Maxima, NUI Galway, commencing on Wednesday, 5 February. These workshops which run for five weeks are free of charge and all are welcome to attend.

This project is funded by Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta and An Chomhairle Ealaíon in association with the Centre for Irish Studies at NUI Galway.

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Rinceoir Cónaitheach ar an Sean-nós 2014, ceaptha ag Ionad an Léinn Éireannaigh, OÉ Gaillimh

Tá sé fógartha ag Ionad an Léinn Éireannaigh, OÉ Gaillimh, go bhfuil Gearóid Ó Dubháin ceaptha mar Rinceoir Cónaitheach ar an Sean-nós as seo go ceann bliana.

D'fhás Gearóid aníos ar an Aird Mhóir i gConamara agus is ann a fuair sé a chuid steipeanna. Damhsóir sean-nóis cáiliúil é a athair, Séamus Ó Dubháin, nó Séamuisín Devaney mar is fearr aithne air. Bhí athair a athar, Colm Ó Dubháin, ina dhamhsóir ar an sean-nós, chomh maith lena dheartháir, Joe. Ina theannta sin, bíonn deirfiúr a athar, Annie, ag rince ar an sean-nós. Is damhsóir aitheanta é a dheartháir, Pádraig, a bhfuil neart duaiseanna bainte amach aige ar fud na tíre. Ní hamháin sin, ach bhí damhsa ar thaobh a mháthar freisin. Is beag an t-iontas, agus a leithéid de dhúchas aige, go bhfuil an rince de dhlúth agus d’inneach in Gearóid.

Tá go leor duaiseanna bainte amach ag Gearóid mar dhamhsóir ar fud na tíre, ina measc tá Oireachtas na Samhna (2010), Craobh na hÉireann (2011), Féile na Mí (2006, 2008, 2010 agus 2012), Féile Chóilín Clesham (buaite cúpla uair), mar aon le neart comórtais eile.  Tá Gearóid i mbun ranganna damhsa ar an sean-nós le blianta beaga anuas, i gConamara agus in áiteanna eile i gContae na Gaillimhe. Go deimhin, tá máistir-ranganna tugtha aige fud fad na tíre. Tá sé tábhachtach do Ghearóid go gcoinneofar sean-stíl a athar beo sa sean-nós agus tá sé sin le feiceáil ina chuid damhsa.

Beidh sraith de cheardlanna ar siúl ar feadh cúig seachtaine san Aula Maxima ag tosnú ag 7pm ar an 5ú Feabhra, 2014.

Is iad Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta agus An Chomhairle Ealaíon, i bpáirt le hIonad an Léinn Éireannaigh, atá ag maoiniú an togra seo.

-Críoch-