We're delighted to announce UCC student Éabha Breathnach from An Cheathrú Rua, Conamara, as this year’s recipient of our research bursary in association with the Irish Traditional Music Archive. Éabha will research the life and music of the west Clare concertina player Kitty Hayes and will present the results of her research at a special tribute to Kitty on the opening night of Consairtín 2024.

Éabha Breathnach is 19 years old. She was born and grew up in An Cheathrú Rua in Conamara. She is a second year student of music and Irish in University College Cork.

 She began learning the concertina with Noel Hill when she was eight years old and she is playing music ever since. She also plays guitar and keyboard and loves sean-nós dancing and singing. She began composing songs and music while attending secondary school at Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin, An Cheathrú Rua, under the guidance of Sheona Ní Mháille. She regularly took part in Scléip, performing her own songs, playing in groups and singing in choirs. She is a regular competitor at an t-Oireachtas, the Pan-Celtic festival and Dáimshcoil Mhúscraí Uí Fhloinn.

She is enjoying the opportunities offered on the campus in UCC to take part in different musical experiences, such as the choir, musical drama, Battle of the Bands for traditional music, songwriting competitions and informal sessions. At home in An Cheathrú Rua, she regularly attends sessions with her father and sings with her sister Clíodhna.

 While she loves all genres of music, the concertina has a special place in her heart. She listens to many different traditional players and has a particular love for the music of Co Clare. She admires Kitty Hayes’ style and repertoire and is looking forward to pursuing this research project at the Irish Traditional Music Archive.