Gradam Ceoil TG4

Citation

Síle Denvir is a sean-nós singer, harpist, and academic whose music is deeply influenced by the Irish language, her upbringing in the Conamara Gaeltacht and the sean-nós style of the region.

In addition to performing as a solo artist, Denvir is a founding member of the traditional band Líadan and has collaborated with many musicians throughout her career including The Chieftains, Barry Kerr, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Martin Hayes and Úna Monaghan. In 2018, she took part in the world premiere of Mícheál Ó Suilleabháin’s Fill Arís, performing with Iarla Ó Lionáird, Lillis Ó Laoire and the National Symphony Orchestra, and in 2020, her singing featured on Rogha Raelach Volume 1, traditional music label Raelach Records’ first compilation album.

She is also a Lecturer at Dublin City University and is particularly interested in Irish language song in a modern context. She has published two books on Conamara songwriters, Tom a’ tSeoighe: Amhráin (2020) and Ciarán Ó Fátharta: Amhráin (2008). Other research projects include a video series on the work of Tom a’ tSeoighe for TG4 Molscéal in 2020 and a CD and booklet on the music from the plays of Patrick Pearse – Caithréim: Ceol agus Amhráin ó Dhrámaí an Phiarsaigh.

Denvir is an accomplished composer and the music director of the new youth sean-nós group Bláth na hÓige. She regularly contributes to TV and radio programmes on TG4, and in 2023 will release her next album, Anamnesis – a recording of sean-nós songs in collaboration with producer John Reynolds and cellist Caroline Dale.