Fergus McGorman.

Ratoath musician in Ó Riada medal final

Meath musician Fergus McGorman will be amongst 15 flute and whistle players who will compete for the Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal on Friday 5th February in the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork.

Fergus hails from Ratoath and was born into a great musical family in 1991. All his family and extended family play music and little wonder, so, that Fergus began learning the flute at the age of 10.

He has performed at many events and his music has been broadcast on Clare FM, Raidió na Gaeltachta, TG4 and RTÉ radio and television. In 2005 and 2006, he won the well-known music competition Siansa with the group Na Mothúcháin, with brother Ruairí and friends.

His mother, musician Catherine McEvoy, has been a strong influence on his playing.

As well as the Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal final on Friday in Cork, this year the weekend’s events will include a Congress for traditional musicians on Saturday. The event is intended to help and advise traditional musicians on a host of subjects. It will run from 2pm to 5pm, with speakers from the music industry giving talks on funding opportunities, publicity, insurance, copyright, marketing and publishing, amongst other topics. Entry is €5 and musicians can register at claru@cuireadhchunceoil.ie .

Saturday evening’s events will be completed by a free concert at 8pm with several of the past winners of the Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal.

The Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal final will be broadcast live on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta on Friday at 7 pm. Full details on the final and the Congress www.rte.ie/rnag.