Two Co Louth singers taking part in TG4 St Brigid’s Day concert

Two singers from the same parish in Co Louth, one from the world of opera and the other from a long line of traditional musicians are among artists taking part in ‘Ardóidh mé mo Sheol - Lá Le Bríde 2023’ special programme celebrating Brigid and the women of Ireland which will be broadcast on Sunday February 5 on TG4 at 9.30pm.

Mezzo soprano Tara Erraught and traditional singer Siubhán O’Connor are both from Ravensdale in the north of the county.

The programme will open with  Siubhán  singing ‘Gabhaim Molta Bhrighde’ along with Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin. A member of the hugely acclaimed family of traditionaa musicians. Siubhán’s mother Eithne Ní Uallacháin had made her mark on this song & now Siubhán picks up the mantle. Siubhán now lives in Donegal.

As one of the greatest Irish opera singers of her generation, Tara needs no introduction to audiences and is currently one of the most sought-after opera singers, performing throughout Europe and the United States.

The concert was filmed in front of a live audience in the majestic surroundings of St Brigid’s Cathedral, Kildare Town, on the very grounds that Brigid is said to have established a church and monastery in 480 A.D.

Presenters Síle Ní Bhraonáin and Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin will guide viewers through a musical celebration of Brigid, both goddess and saint on this first bank holiday weekend in her honour.

The seventy-five minute programme will see  Brigid’s life, myths, traditions and influences will be celebrated by an ensemble cast of diverse Irish people, musicians, singers, poets, mythologists and academics.

Other musical contributors to the show are  John Francis Flynn and Paddy Keenan playing together for the first time,  T with the Maggies, Ceol na mBan, The Nás na Rí Singers, Precious Abimbola and many more.