Is cúis mhór áthais é d’Ionad Léann na hÉireann, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, a fhógairt go bhfuil Orla Ní Fhinneadha ceaptha mar Amhránaí Cónaitheach Sean-nóis san ollscoil i mbliana.  Is buaiteoir Chorn na mBán faoi láthair í Orla agus tá sí ag gabháil don amhránaíocht ó thosnaigh sí ag freastal ar ranganna sean-nóis le Máire Pheitir Uí Dhroighneáin agus sí ar bhunscoil. Bhí an-tionchar ag Máire uirthi chomh maith le hathair Orla féin, Jimi Ó Fhinneadha.  Is as an gCloich Mhór, Baile na hAbhann d’Orla, agus tá leir mór duiseanna bainte amach aici. Tá sí an-bhródúil as an 3ú hait a bhaint amach i gCorn Uí Riada ag an Oireachtas in 2016. Chomh maith le sin bhuaigh Orla Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann cúpla uair nuair a bhí sí ina déagóir, bhuaigh sí an Comórtas Amhránaíochta do Mhná faoi 35 ag an Oireachtas i 2012, agus tháinig sí sa dara háit i gCorn na mBan in 2014.  Tá an-éileamh ar Orla mar mhúinteoir sean-nóis. Léiríodh na scileanna seo go soiléir sna físeáin a cruthaíodh do Cúla 4 ar Scoil ina raibh sí ag múineadh amhrán le linn thréimhse Covid. Tá Orla an-bhródúil go bhfuil go leor páistí fós ag breathnú agus ag foghlaim ó na hamhráin áille a thaifead sí i rith an ama sin.  Agus an ceapachán á fhógairt aici, deir an Dr Nessa Cronin, Ceann Léann na hÉireann ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe: “Is cúis áthais dúinn Orla Ní Fhinneadha a bheith linn in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe i mbliana. Is duine a bhfuil stór eolais aici atá in ann inspioráid a thabhairt don chéad ghlúin eile ar thraidisiún amhránaíochta an tsean-nóis, agus táimid ag tnúth go mór leis an bhliain atá amach romhainn agus Orla a bheith linne mar Amhránaí Cónaithe an tSean-nóis, 2025/26.”   Beidh sraith ceardlann á múineadh ag Orla san Ollscoil sa bhFómhar agus arís san Earrach. Cuirfear tús leis na ceardlanna i seomra seimineáir an Ionaid ar Bhóthar na Drioglainne ar an 16 Deireadh Fómhar ag 6.00in. Tá na ceardlanna saor in aisce agus beidh fáilte roimh chách.  Is iad Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta, An Chomhairle Ealaíon agus Ionad Léann na hÉireann, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, a mhaoiníonn an tionscnamh seo.  Tuilleadh eolais ó Samantha Williams ag 091 492051 nó samantha.williams@universityofgalway.ie.  Críoch  

Renowned sean-nós singer Orla Ní Fhinneadha has been appointed 2025-2026 Sean-Nós Singer-in-Residence at University of Galway’s Centre for Irish Studies.  The current holder of the prestigious competition Corn na mBán, Orla has been singing since she began attending sean-nós classes at primary school with Máire Pheitir Uí Dhroighneáin, who had a huge influence on her development as a singer, as did Orla’s own father Jimi Ó Fhinneadha.  Orla, from An Chloich Mhór, Baile na hAbhann, Co Galway, has many singing titles to her name, including coming third in the prestigious Corn Uí Riada at the Oireachtas in 2016. As a teenager she won several titles at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, as well as at the Oireachtas when she won the Under-35 category in 2012 and second place in Corn na mBán in 2014.  Orla’s expertise and teaching skills came to the fore in a series of videos created for Cúla 4 ar Scoil during Covid. These videos, in which she presented and taught sean-nós songs, continue to be watched and learned from by children today.  Announcing the appointment, Dr Nessa Cronin, Head of Irish Studies at University of Galway, said: “It is a privilege to have Orla Ní Fhinneadha with us at the University for the coming academic year. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and expertise to inspire the next generation of sean-nós singers and we are looking forward to working with her during her year as Sean-Nós Singer-in-Residence 2025/26.”  Orla will deliver a series of workshops on campus this autumn and spring, beginning on Thursday October 16th at 6pm. The workshops are free and open to the public.   This project is funded by Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta and An Chomhairle Ealaíon, in association with the Centre for Irish Studies at University of Galway. For further information, contact Samantha Williams at 091 492051 or samantha.williams@universityofgalway.ie.  Ends

University of Galway has been selected as a European champion for a flagship digitalisation project to simplify and secure recognition of academic credentials, promote student mobility and foster inclusion.  The prestigious recognition was awarded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture and names the University as Ireland’s European Student Card Initiative (ESCI) Champion for 2025-2027.  The ESCI Champion award highlights the University’s ongoing leadership in advancing student mobility across Europe through digital innovation and collaboration, and demonstrates its strong commitment to the digitalisation of student services, streamlining the administrative processes for students participating in mobility programmes such as Erasmus+.  Specifically, the award recognises University of Galway’s achievements in implementing “Erasmus Without Paper”, an initiative designed to make higher education more interconnected, efficient and student-focused.   Professor David J. Burn, President of University of Galway, said: “We are honoured to be named Ireland’s ESCI Champion for 2025-2027. This recognition reflects the dedication of our staff and students in embracing digital innovation and European cooperation. We look forward to supporting the further digitalisation of higher education across Europe and sharing our experiences for the benefit of students everywhere.”   Sheena Duffy, Head of International, Higher Education Authority Ireland, said: “University of Galway’s selection as ESCI Champion is a testament to their leadership in digital transformation and student mobility. Their active role will be crucial in advancing the European Student Card Initiative, and we are confident that their expertise will inspire higher education institutions throughout Ireland and beyond.”   Representatives from the University’s Global Galway team will lead out on the ESCI Champion initiative and officially start the work at a kick-off meeting in Gothenburg, Sweden, this September.  Over the next two years, the University team will share their expertise at national and European events, engage with peer institutions and contribute to the broader ESCI community by sharing testimonials and best practices. The University’s efforts will help inspire and guide other higher education institutions in Ireland and across Europe on their own digitalisation journeys.   To find out more about the European Student Card Initiative and the ESCI Champions 2025-2027, visit: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/news/introducing-the-esci-champions-2025-2027  Ends