Derry’s Róise Ní Mhurchú wins prestigious singing competition at Oireachtas na Gaeilge
Culmore woman Róise Ní Mhurchú has won the prestigious women's under 35 Gaelic singing competition at Oireachtas na Gaeilge in Killarney.
TG4 also featured Róise as the special guest who performed the Ulster song ‘An Clár Bog Déil’ on its Steip programme on Saturday , one of the most watched programmes in their schedule as the broadcaster celebrated thirty years on air this week.
The Derry woman's win against thirty two of her peers is of significance as it gives her a chance next year to compete at the next level against women from all the Gaeltacht regions of Ireland.
There is a double importance, her grandad Alf Ó Murchú, reared in Belfast with an Irish speaking grandmother from the Antrim Glens made many Gaeltacht friends, and won the Oireachtas gold medal in 1961, adjudicated by Professor Seán Óg Ó Tuama.
On Friday last, Róise reared in Derry by Irish speaking parents, celebrated musicians and singers Marcas and Caitríona and with many Gaeltacht friends, won Corn Sheáin Óig Uí Thuama, named after the same revered scholar.
The Moltóirí/ Adjudicators were from all corners of Ireland, Bríd Ní Mhaoilchiaráin Conamara, Aodán Ó Ceallaigh, An Rinn, Waterford and Dublin and Áine Uí Laoithe, Ciarraí.
“Congratulations to the winners and everyone who took part in the Oireachtas na Samhna 2026 Performing Art Competitions. Oireachtas na Samhna is an expression of the best, most positive and most exciting parts of our culture, our language and our arts.” said Máirín Nic Dhonnchadha, CEO of An tOireachtas.