Louisburgh musician Jillian O’Malley will be among 15 flute and whistle players who will compete for the Seán Ó’Riada Gold Medal this evening, Friday February 5, in the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork. The final will be broadcast live on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. Tim McHugh from Newport won the Seán Ó’Riada Gold Medal the last time the competition was open to the flute, in 2012.
Jillian O’Malley plays the whistle and flute, and won three senior All Ireland medals at the Fleadh Cheoil in 2013 for whistle, flute, and slow airs on flute. She was a member of the Knocknashee Céilí Band in 2014 who came second in the Senior Céilí Band competition. Although she loves playing tunes, she feels there is something very special in the slow airs and songs.
Ms O’Malley graduated with a BA in applied languages from UL last year. She is now working with Microsoft Ireland in Dublin in a role that uses her language and business skills. In her spare time she teaches music in Dublin, and she is a member of the Macalla 1916 Orchestra who will be playing all around the country this year.
The Seán Ó’Riada Gold Medal final will be broadcast live on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta today at 7 pm.
