The group Spleodar, from Enniskillen, will be among the cream of young Irish traditional musical and singing talent who will take to the National Concert Hall stage for the Siansa Gael Linn 2018 final.

Siansa uniquely showcases Irish music and Irish song by young musicians, all through the medium of Irish, and this is the climax of the competition which is organized annually by Gael Linn, with support from Irish Music Magazine and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.

Year after year, the competition inspires and attracts new groups of the highest calibre, and this year’s final will see a close contest between excellent musicians from Enniskillen to Ennis!

The members of Spleodar, mentored by musician Maggie Maguire, will perform in the National Concert Hall alongside seven other groups from counties Clare, Galway, Laois, Limerick, Offaly, Wicklow and Wexford.

Each group will play their own 10 to 12-minute selection of traditional music on the night, arranged in a new and innovative way, and must include an Irish song in their repertoire.

The concert will be broadcast live from the National Concert Hall on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta on Sunday, April 22 at 7.30pm and will be compered by the station’s popular presenter, Áine Hensey.

Out of an initial entry of over 60 groups for the competition, the eight finalists have qualified through two preliminary rounds of the competition since December last.

Providing help and encouragement to these lucky groups on their way to the National Concert Hall were renowned traditional musicians, flute-player and singer, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh and Declan Masterson, piper and multi-instrumentalist.

Joining them at the adjudicator’s table for the final will be the highly-respected fiddler, Oisín Mac Diarmada, founder member of the acclaimed group ‘Téada’.

The groups will be judged on their overall performance on the night, incorporating choice of music, arrangement, singing and ensemble playing.

With a generous prize fund of €4,500, there is no doubt but that there will be a high standard of music at the event.

€2,500 and the specially-designed Siansa Gael Linn trophy will be awarded to the overall winners, those in second place will be awarded €1,250 while the group in third place will receive €750!

Gael Linn has been promoting Irish traditional music and song in tandem with the Irish language for more than 65 years.

Spleodar are hoping for plenty of Fermanagh support on the night!