Ireland’s Daríona Ní Dhonnchú scooped the top prize at the International Song Contest hosted as part of the 2019 International Pan Celtic Festival in Letterkenny.
This is the third year in a row that Ireland has won the competition, which was held in An Grianan Theatre on Thursday night.
The song ‘Ní Thuigim’ was written by Áine Durkin and chosen to represent Ireland when it won the Pan Celtic National Song contest in Carlow in March.
Last night it went on to win the International Pan Celtic Song Contest amidst stiff competition from the other Celtic nations of Wales, Scotland, Brittany, Cornwall and the Isle of Man. The event was hosted by TG4’s Caitlín Nic Aoidh.
Aíne Durkin, Scríofa, Ollie Hennessy, Daríona Ní Dhonnchú and Ciaran Tourish, from Ireland who performed Ní Thuigim to win the Pan Celtic International Song Contest in An Grianan Theatre on Thursday last. Photo Clive Wasson
Elidyr Glyn representing Wales/Cymru came second singing Fel Hyn ‘Da Ni Fod while Cornwalls/Kernog Black-Eyed Nancy came third with a song called Anella.
Judges giving their scores at the Pan Celtic International Song Contest in An Grianan Theatre on Thursday last. Photo Clive Wasson
Kernow group Black- Eyed Nancy finalists at the Pan Celtic International Song Contest in An Grianan Theatre on Thursday last receive their trophy. Photo Clive Wasson
Cymru group ELIDYR GLYN finalists at the Pan Celtic International Song Contest in An Grianan Theatre on Thursday last receive their trophy. Photo Clive Wasson
Mannin group Drogh Yindys finalists at the Pan Celtic International Song Contest in An Grianan Theatre on Thursday last receive their trophy. Photo Clive Wasson
Breizh group Kerdin En Avel finalists at the Pan Celtic International Song Contest in An Grianan Theatre on Thursday last receive their trophy. Photo Clive Wasson
Alba group Na Caimbeulaich finalists at the Pan Celtic International Song Contest in An Grianan Theatre on Thursday last receive their trophy. Photo Clive Wasson
Pan Celtic festivities continue today and over the weekend with the Pan Celtic Parade due to take place this afternoon (Friday) in Letterkenny from An Grianán Theatre to the Courtyard Shopping Centre at 2pm.
The Parade will feature marching bands, dancers and musicians from the six Celtic nations, as well as special appearances by Inishowen Carnival Group and the Carndonagh Brass Band.
The spectacular Pan Celtic Choral Concert will take place tonight (Friday) in An Grianan Theatre featuring a special performance by Donegal’s own Ceol le Chéile Donegal Choir of Ages intergenerational choir, conducted by Veronica McCarron.
Celtic Nation Nights will continue in the Mount Errigal Hotel with Wales Night taking place tonight (Friday) a must see for choral music lovers, while on Saturday, April 27th, it’s the turn of the Scots. Admission is €10
Saturday is Lá na gComórtas, the Inter-Celtic Competitions Day. For the travelling performers, this is the biggest day of the Festival, the day the various choirs, vocal ensembles, solo musicians and duets, across a range of instruments, go head to head in Inter-Celtic competition. The competitions will run from 10.30am at Coláiste Ailigh, and the quality the performances and the level of entertainment will be of the highest order.
Further Events and Programme Information
Details of Pan Celtic Festival events can be found in the Festival Programme from www.panceltic.ie
The 48th International Pan Celtic Festival is presented by the International Pan Celtic Council, in a partnership with Donegal County Council.
