THE 2023 MÓRglór award has been given to fiddle player Siobhán Peoples. A world-renowned performer and tutor, she has been an inspiration and mentor to many musicians, locally, nationally and internationally, through her extensive teaching career.
She has been an outstanding ambassador for the traditional arts in Clare and an integral part of the vibrant session scene for several decades. In recent years, she has also been one of the driving forces behind the resurgence of the Ennis Trad Festival.
Siobhán is steeped in the musical history of County Donegal, through her father Tommy, and of County Clare, through her grandmother, Kitty Linnane, pianist with the original Kilfenora Céilí Band.
An incredibly dedicated teacher, Siobhán is a featured tutor annually at many festivals and at the University of Limerick.
She is known for the qualities of great instrument teachers including a deep love of her instrument, a thorough understanding of her own skills and playing, and the patience, analytical ability and flexibility to recognise and respond to the needs of any student. She believes in creating a relaxed atmosphere in her classes so the passing and learning of the tradition can flow freely.
In 2002, Siobhan teamed up with box player, Murty Ryan, to release an acclaimed duet album, Time on our Hands. This recording also showcased a handful of Siobhán’s original compositions and that talent for composition has been celebrated widely by organisations such as the Irish Traditional Music Archive.
Siobhán’s dedication to the music of Ennis can also be seen in the work she has done on the committee of the Ennis Trad Festival for many years now.
With a group of dedicated friends and colleagues, she relaunched the Ennis Trad Festival, which has since become a major festival on the traditional music circuit in Ireland and is central to strengthening the traditional identity of both Ennis and County Clare.
On Saturday, December 16 the people of Clare will come together to acknowledge a debt of gratitude to Siobhán for her tireless efforts in promoting Irish Traditional Music with a concert in Glór featuring a host of local and national traditional musicians.
“We are absolutely delighted to recognise and celebrate Siobhán Peoples’ substantial contribution to the development and promotion of traditional music of County Clare, locally, nationally and internationally,” said the Director of glór, Marie O’Byrne.
“We very much look forward to a concert which will celebrate Siobhán’s tireless dedication to her art, in the company of many of her closest friends and musical acquaintances.”
MÓRglór is an acknowledgement and celebration by glór of the wealth of professional and semi-professional artists, alongside the talented individuals, groups and communities within the county, all of whom provide a vital stimulus for the growth and development of Clare’s unique culture.
This prestigious annual award, named after Clare’s cultural ambassador and visionary, Muiris Ó Rocháin, is sponsored by glór and developed in partnership with Dr. Tim Collins.
Previous MÓRglór recipients include Corofin Traditional Music Festival (2014), Eoin O’Neill (2015), Frank Custy (2016), Geraldine Cotter (2017), Chris Droney (2018), Mary MacNamara (2019), The Shannon Family (2021) and Malbay Studios (2022).
MÓRglór 2023 tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, September 6 at www.glor.ie and on 065 6843103.
Andrew Hamilton is a journalist, investigative reporter and blogger who has been working in the media in Ireland for the past 20 years. His areas of special interest include the environment, mental health and politics.