Feis Ceoil’s Laura Gilsenan: ‘Listen Without Prejudice takes me back to an exciting time of freedom, potential’

My Cultural Life

A George Michael album casts Laura Gilsenan's mind back to Paris

Lucy White

March 19 2023 02:30 AM

Laura Gilsenan is the CEO of the country’s largest classical music competition – the annual Feis Ceoil, now its 126th year. It runs at the RDS and at Wesley House, Ranelagh, both Dublin, from tomorrow until March 31. Athboy born, Gilsenan is also a celebrant and classically-trained singer.

BOOK: The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane

This book, set in rural tea-farming China, spans about four decades from the 1980s. It gives a vivid insight into a society and culture that, although relatively recent, was about as far from my experience as I could imagine. The sobering thing however is how quickly the traditions and lifestyle depicted were wiped out and replaced by “progressive” influences. I loved the sensitivity shown to the characters, and the enduring image of the cake of tea that remained with the central character, providing a link between her past, present and future.

TV: Happy Valley

Such a gripping final season. I absolutely love Sarah Lancashire in everything (yes, even in Coronation Street back in the day). The characters are so well drawn here – even the villain makes you feel sympathy for him occasionally (and fleetingly). The multigenerational fractured family, the gritty north of England setting, the superb acting and scriptwriting all combine to make compelling TV.

ALBUM: Listen Without Prejudice

In 1990 I was living in Paris and having a blast. My sister gave me this George Michael CD and I absolutely loved it. I don’t exactly know why it resonated so much but it must have epitomised the sense of freedom and potential that can only come at a time in your life when there are no onerous responsibilities and everything still feels possible. Whenever I put it on I get to relive that exciting time.

CONCERT: Sheku Kanneh-Mason

I’m a bit of a superfan [of this young cellist] since I watched a documentary on his family. They’re so reminiscent of the many families I’ve seen over the years at Feis Ceoil, dedicating their lives to their talented children. We see the finished product on the stage – incredible – but there’s a whole support network, from parents and siblings to coaches, along the way.