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Sile Denvir

Dr.

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Scoláire idirdhisciplíneach, amhránaí sean-nóis agus cláirseoir í an Dr Síle Denvir a rugadh agus a tógadh in Indreabhán i gConamara. Tá suim faoi leith aici in amhránaíocht na Gaeilge agus tá dhá leabhar faoi chumadóirí amhrán as Conamara foilsithe aici, Tom a’ tSeoighe: Amhráin (Cló Iar-Chonnacht 2020) agus Ciarán Ó Fátharta: Amhráin (Cló Iar-Chonnacht 2008), chomh maith le riar mhaith aistí léannta faoi thraidisiún na hamhránaíochta. Tá suim faoi leith aici i nasc a dhéanamh idir an taighde agus an chruthaitheacht agus i measc a cuid tograí le gairid tá sraith físeán bunaithe ar amhráin Tom a’ tSeoighe (Molscéal TG4 2020) agus an dlúthdhiosca/leabhrán Caithréim (Cló Iar-Chonnacht 2016) atá bunaithe ar an gceol agus ar na hamhráin i ndrámaí Phádraig Mhic Phiarais. Bhí Caithréim ar ghearrliosta The Irish Times sa rannóg iomaíoch ‘Albam Traidisiúnta na Bliana 2016’, agus thug sé leis an duais don albam traidisiúnta is fearr ag Gradam Nós 2017. Tá sí ina stiúrthóir ceoil ar an tionscadal ‘Bláth na hÓige’, sraith nuálach a chuirfidh glúin óg amhránaithe sean-nóis as ceantair éagsúla Ghaeltachta in aithne don domhan mór, agus tá sí ag tabhairt faoi thionscnamh taighde ar an ábhar céanna i láthair na huaire. Eisíodh an t-albam is deireanaí ó Shíle, Anamnesis, le gairid agus bronnadh Gradam Ceoil TG4 d’Amhránaí na Bliana 2023 uirthi. 

Dr Síle Denvir is an interdisciplinary scholar, sean-nós singer and harpist from Indreabhán in the Connemara Gaeltacht. She has a particular interest in Irish-language song and has published two books, Tom a’ tSeoighe: Amhráin (Cló Iar-Chonnacht 2020) and Ciarán Ó Fátharta: Amhráin (Cló Iar-Chonnacht 2008), and numerous articles on various aspects of the Irish language song tradition. She has a particular interest in combining her academic and creative work and recent artistic research projects include the production of a series of videos of Tom a’ tSeoighe’s songs (Molscéal, TG4 2020) and a CD/Booklet called Caithréim (Cló Iar-Chonnacht 2016) based on the music and song from the plays of Patrick Pearse. Caithréim was shortlisted by The Irish Times in the highly competitive ‘Best Traditional Album 2016’ category and won an award for best traditional album at Gradam Nós 2017. Síle is also music director for ‘Bláth na hÓige’, an exciting new series that showcases the talents of young sean-nós singers from various Gaeltacht areas. Her most recent album Anamnesis, a recording of sean-nós songs, was released in March 2023 and she was recently named ‘singer of the year’ in the prestigious ‘Gradam Ceoil TG4’ awards.


Book

Year Publication
2020 Síle Denvir agus Ciarán Ó Fátharta (2020) Tom a' tSeoighe: Amhráin. Indreabhán: Cló Iar-Chonnacht.
2008 Síle Denvir (2008) Ciarán Ó Fátharta - Amhráin. Indreabhán: Cló Iar- Chonnacht.

Book Chapter

Year Publication
2023 Síle Denvir (2023) 'Ó Shuantraí go Goltraí: Léiriú ar ghlór na mban sna hamhráin dhúchasacha Gaeilge' In: Léachtaí Cholm Cille 53: Léann Feimineach agus Inscne na Gaeilge. Maigh Nuad : An Sagart.
2022 Síle Denvir (2022) 'Fíor nó Fiar? Ceist na Barántúlachta in Amhránaíocht Dhúchasach na Gaeilge' In: Dhá Leagan Déag: Léargais Nua ar an Sean-nós. Indreabhán : Cló Iar-Chonnacht.
2020 Síle Denvir (2020) 'Communal Voices: The Songs of Tom a’ tSeoighe and Ciarán Ó Fátharta' In: Made in Ireland: Studies in Popular Music. London : Routledge.
2016 Síle Denvir (2016) 'Caithréim: Ceol agus Amhráin ó Dhrámaí an Phiarsaigh' In: Patrick Pearse and the Theatre: Pádraig Mac Piarais agus an Téatar. Dublin : Four Courts.

Journal Issue

Year Publication
2021 Verena Commins, Síle Denvir, Úna Monaghan and Méabh Nı́ Fhuartháin (special issue editors) (2021) Women and Traditional/Folk Music. JNI

Other Journal

Year Publication
2002 Síle Denvir (2002) 'Gné den úrscéal 'Deoraíocht'' Feasta, .

Conference Contribution

Year Publication
2023 Síle Denvir (2023) Ainm Cleite An File agus a Phobal – Ó Leitir Móir go Camden Town Leitir Móir, 16/09/2023-17/09/2023.
2023 Síle Denvir agus Máire Ní Churraoin (2023) Comhdháil na Bealtaine “Aithne Insta”: Na hAmhráin Ghaeilge sa bhFearann Fíorúil Coláiste Mhuire gan Smál, 12/05/2023-12/05/2023.
2023 Síle Denvir (2023) DCU Music Research Seminar Series 'Bláth na hÓige': A New Generation of Sean-nós Singers DCU, 21/03/2023-21/03/2023.
2019 Síle Denvir (2019) Seimineár Taighde an Fhómhair ‘Tá ceol ag an gcrann is ag na láinnéir’: Saol agus Saothar Tom a’ tSeoighe Ollscoil Mhá Nuad, 12/12/2019-12/12/2019.
2019 Síle Denvir, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Sailí Ní Dhroighneáin (2019) Annual Conference of the Anthropological Association of Ireland Talamh Nua: Sean-nós Singing in Contemporary Contexts (roundtable discussion) Ollscoil Mhá Mhá Nuad, 27/09/2019-27/09/2019.
2020 Síle Denvir (2020) CUNY Graduate Center Lecture Series Fuaimrian: An illustrated lecture of music and song based on the works of Patrick Pearse New York, 24/02/2020-24/11/2020.
2020 Síle Denvir (2020) An 5ú Siompóisiam Débhliantúil ar Litríocht na Gaeilge Ceol, Amhránaíocht, Sean-Nós agus Ceiliúradh ar Shaothar Mháirtín Uí Chadhain Ó Shean go Nua: Leanúnachas agus Claochlú in Amhránaíocht Dhúchasach na Gaeilge Lehman College, Nua Eabhrac, 22/02/2020-22/11/2020.
2018 Síle Denvir (2018) Voicing Cultures, Cultural Voices - 13th Annual Conference of the ICTM Ireland Communal Voices - The Songs of Tom a’ tSeoighe and Ciarán Ó Fátharta University of Limerick, .
2018 Síle Denvir (2018) Tower Seminar Series Sean-nós Singing - Continuity and Creativity University of Limerick, .
2017 Síle Denvir (2017) ‘Ar an Imeall i Lár an Domhain?’: An tairseachúlacht i litríocht agus i gcultúr na hÉireann agus na hEorpa Glór an Amhránaí: an t-ealaíontóir i mbun na ceirde Prág, Poblacht na Seice, 13/09/2017-17/09/2017.
2017 Síle Denvir, Peter Browne, Des Geraghty (2017) Scoil Gheimhridh Merriman An Ghaeilge i mBaile Átha Cliath Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath, 03/03/2017-05/03/2017.
2016 Síle Denvir (2016) Scoil Gheimridh Merriman Caithréim: Ceol agus Amhráin ó Dhrámaí an Phiarsaigh Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach, 29/01/2016-31/01/2016.
2016 Síle Denvir (2016) The International Council for Traditional Music Ireland 2016 Organising Committee St. Patrick's College, 27/02/2017-28/03/2017.
2016 Síle Denvir (2016) The International Council for Traditional Music Ireland Annual Conference Music and Song from the Plays of Patrick Pearse St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, 27/02/2016-28/02/2016.
2015 Síle Denvir (2015) Dhá Leagan Déag: Comhdháil faoin Amhránaíocht ar an Sean-nós Fíor nó Fiar? Ceist na Barántúlachta in Amhránaíocht Dhúchasach na Gaeilge Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh, .
2015 Síle Denvir (2015) Traditional Song Symposium Sean-nós Singing and Authenticity Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, .
2015 Síle Denvir (2015) Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh Mairfidh Gaol is Ceol Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhóir, Dún Chaoin, 18/02/2015-22/02/2015.
2015 Síle Denvir (2015) The International Council for Traditional Music Ireland Annual Conference A Track Well-Travelled: The Gaelic Songs Of Ireland And Scotland Dundalk Institute of Technology, .
2014 Síle Denvir (2014) Scoil Gheimridh Merriman Gaol Gairid: Ceol agus Amhráin na nGael Luimneach, 31/01/2014-02/02/2014.
2012 Síle Denvir (2012) North Atlantic Fiddle Convention A Song’s Journey Ulster University, Derry, .
2012 Síle Denvir (2012) Irish World Academy of Music and Dance Seminar Series Tá mé i mo shuí ó d’éirigh an ghealach aréir Ollscoil Luimnigh, .
2012 Síle Denvir (2012) Comhdháil Litríochta agus Cultúir Aistear Amhráin Scoil na Gaeilge, Ollscoil na hÉireann Gaillimh, .
2009 Síle Denvir (2009) Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy Tradition and Innovation in the Gaelic Song Tradition of Ireland and Scotland’ Sráid na Cathrach, .
2007 Síle Denvir (2007) Irish World Academy of Music and Dance Seminar Series Pobal na nAmhrán: Ó Thinteán go Stáitse Ollscoil Luimnigh, .
2006 Síle Denvir (2006) Department of Music Research Seminar Series The re-structuring, re-interpretation and performance of traditional Irish language and Scottish Gaelic song University College Cork, .
2006 Síle Denvir (2006) Irish World Academy of Music and Dance Seminar Series Globalisation, Authenticity and Language in Traditional Song University of Limerick, .

Booklet

Year Publication
2016 Síle Denvir (2016) Caithréim: Ceol agus Amhráin ó Dhrámaí an Phiarsaigh. Indreabhán: BOOKLET

Discussion

Year Publication
2019 Síle Denvir (2019) ‘Straitéis do na hEalaíona Teangabhunaithe’, Oireachtas na Gaeilge. DISCUSS
2018 Síle Denvir (2018) ‘The Revival of the Irish Language’, Creative Minds at American Ambassador’s Residence. DISCUSS

Online Article

Year Publication
2018 Síle Denvir (2018) Amhránaíocht ar an Sean-nós. ELEA [Link]

Encyclopedia Entry

Year Publication
2013 Síle Denvir (2013) Phil Coulter, The Encyclopaedia of Music in Ireland. Dublin: ENC
2013 Síle Denvir (2013) Clannad, Encyclopaedia of Music in Ireland. ENC
2013 Síle Denvir (2013) Anúna, The Encyclopaedia of Music in Ireland. Dublin: ENC
2013 Síle Denvir (2013) Clannad, The Encyclopaedia of Music in Ireland. Dublin: ENC
2013 Síle Denvir (2013) The Corrs, The Encyclopaedia of Music in Ireland. Dublin: ENC
2013 Síle Denvir (2013) Paul Brady, The Encyclopaedia of Music in Ireland. Dublin: ENC

Radio Presentation

Year Publication
2019 Síle Denvir (2019) 'Seosamh Ó hÉanaí and Seán ac’ Dhonncha' on The Rolling Wave, RTÉ Radio 1. RADIO
2018 Síle Denvir (2018) 'Sean-nós' on The Rolling Wave, RTÉ Radio 1. RADIO

Television

Year Publication
2018 Síle Denvir (2018) Rannpháirtí ar an gclár 'Sé mo Laoch: Sarah Ghriallais'. TV
2017 Denvir, Síle (2017) Láithreoir ar an gclár beo teilifíse 'Fleadh TV'. TV
2014 Síle Denvir (2014) Láithreoir ar an tsraith teilifíse 'Sean-Nós'. TV
2012 Síle Denvir (2012) Láithreoir ar an tsraith teilifíse 'Sean-Nós'. TV

Recording

Year Publication
2023 Síle Denvir (2023) Anamnesis. REC
2023 Síle Denvir & Aniar (2023) Bláth na hÓige. Baile Átha Cliath: REC
2021 Blunnie, Róisín; Carr, Marina; Denvir, Síle; Meehan, Paula; Ní Chinnéide, Dairena; Doherty, Seán; Clarke, Rhona (2021) Ghost Songs: Contemporary Music and Words from Ireland. Vermont, USA: REC [Link]
2020 Síle Denvir (2020) Amhránaí ar Rogha Raelach: Volume 1. REC
2018 Síle Denvir (2018) Amhránaí ar 'A Winter Wish' le Thomas Johnston. REC
2017 Síle Denvir (2017) Amhránaí ar 'Translate' le Jiggy. Dublin: REC
2016 Síle Denvir (2016) Caithréim: Ceol agus Amhráin ó Dhrámaí an Phiarsaigh. Indreabhán: REC
2016 Síle Denvir (2016) Amhránaí agus tionlacaí ar 'Blood on the Rose/Fuil ar an Rós'. Baile Átha Cliath: REC
2015 Líadan (2015) In Am Trátha: Well-Timed. REC
2011 Síle Denvir (2011) Tionlacaí ar 'Ó Chaon Taobh' le Mairéad Ní Fhlaithearta. REC
2010 Síle Denvir (2010) Tionlacaí ar 'Guaillibh le Chéile'le Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde agus Griogair Labhruidh. REC
2009 Síle Denvir, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Méabh Ní Bheaglaoich (2009) Amhránaí ar an CD Rom 'Amhrán is Fiche don Nollaig'. REC
2009 Síle Denvir (2009) Amhránaí ar 'Subhóró – Ceol ón Acadamh'. REC
2009 Líadan (2009) Casadh na Taoide - Turning the Tide. REC
2009 Síle Denvir (2009) Tionlacaí ar 'Is Duitse a Bheirim Grá' le Síle Ní Fhlaithearta. REC
2006 Líadan (2006) Líadan - Traditional Irish Music and Song. REC

Peer Reviewed Journal

Year Publication
2012 Síle Denvir (2012) 'Pobal na nAmhrán: Ó Thinteán go Stáitse'. Bliainiris, 10 .
Certain data included herein are derived from the © Web of Science (2024) of Clarivate. All rights reserved.

Professional Associations

Association Function From / To
ICTM Member -
Society for Musicology in Ireland Member -

Honors and Awards

Date Title Awarding Body
01/01/2005 Scoláireacht Taighde Iomairt Cholm Cille
01/03/2023 Gradam Ceoil TG4 (Amhránaí na Bliana) TG4
01/09/1999 Scoláireacht Gaeltachta Rialtas na hÉireann

Committees

Committee Function From / To
ITMA 01/09/2019 -
Coiste na Gaeilge (Coláiste Phádraig) 01/09/2014 - 01/09/2016

Creative Outputs

Year Title Type
2023 Anamnesis (album) Recording
2023 Bláth na hÓige (album) Recording
2023 The RTÉ Concert Orchestra Presents Lullabies and Music for Sleep (soloist) Recording
2022 Fuascail Documentary
2022 'Seo í Isteach mo Bhrídeog' Composition
2021 ‘Numinousity’ and ‘Tairseach Toinne’ on Ghost Songs: Contemporary Music and Words from Ireland Composition
2021 'Siar is Aniar' Composition
2020 Togra Tom a' tSeoighe: Físeáin Documentary
2020 ‘Óivid: Ovid Metamorphoses’ Composition
2019 Man of Aran - Live Soundtrack (by Úna Monaghan, Ceri Owen and Síle Denvir) Composition
2019 Continuum Exhibition
2017 'Sean-nós na nÓg' Play
2018 ‘Fill Arís’ composed by Mícheál Ó Suilleabháin, performed by Síle Denvir, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Lillis Ó Laoire and The RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra Recording
2018 Tairseach Toinne Composition
2017 Ceathair Exhibition
2016 Aisling Gheal: Tionscadal Chaitlín Maude Composition
2015 Teanga an Ghrá: 1,000 bliain de ghrá Gaelach Exhibition

Outreach Activities

Year Engagement Type Organisation Description
2022 Educational Outreach/Public Engagement Roinn na Gaeltachta Creative director of the artistic strand of the conference 'Ár gConair', an event organised by The British Irish Council in collaboration with Roinn na Gaeltachta. This was a 3 day event which focussed on developing long term collaborations between artists and officials working in the Indigenous Minority Language work sector in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Jersey, Guernsey and Cornwall.

Media

Title Year Type Authors
Bláth na hÓige 2023 Produced a TV programme Síle Denvir & Aniar
Contributor to 'Ireland’s Favourite Folksong', RTÉ 2019 Documentary Síle Denvir
Fleadh TV 2017 Television interview/panel discussion Síle Denvir
Sean-Nós 2014 Television interview/panel discussion Síle Denvir
Coppers and Brass: Seán Ó Riada 2013 Documentary Síle Denvir
Sean-Nós 2012 Television interview/panel discussion Síle Denvir
Fuascail 2022 Produced a TV programme Barry Kerr & Síle Denvir

Research Interests

Réimsí Taighde: 

  • Traidisiún na hamhránaíochta Gaeilge; an ceol traidisiúnta; amhráin nuachumtha na Gaeilge; taibhealaíona na Gaeilge; an nuafhilíocht agus an taibhfhilíocht; caitheamh aimsire agus siamsaíocht in Éirinn roimh an 20ú haois; amhráin agus ceol na hAlba; ceol na seanchláirseoirí.
  • Is amhránaí sean-nóis agus cláirseoir mé agus tá suim faoi leith agam sa taighde ealaíonta.

Research Areas: 

  • The Irish-language song tradition; Irish traditional music; newly composed Irish-language song; Irish-language performing arts; modern Irish-language poetry and performance poetry; pastimes in Ireland before the 20th century; songs and music of Gaelic Scotland; the ancient music of the harpers.
  • I am a sean-nós singer and a harpist and I am very interested in the field of artistic research. 

Current Postgraduate Students

Student Name Degree Supervision
Ni Laoire ,Aoife PhD-track Supervisor

Modules Coordinated

Term Title Subject
2022 Gaeilge FN156
2022 Gaeilge mar Bhunabhar FN155
2022 An Nuafhilíocht agus na hAmhráin FN151
2022 Filíocht na Gaeilge FN157
2022 Filíocht agus Béaloideas FN217
2022 An Béaloideas FN257
2022 Gaeilge FN564
2020 Music in Performance MC505
2023 FN554