Carlow musicians scoop Pan Celtic song contest
Dave Barron, composer of Dúlra Scriosta with performers Clara Hutchinson and Fiach Ó Muircheartaigh being presented with first prize at the Pan Celtic Song Contest by Sophie Ford from IMRO, right, and Mayor of Carlow, Paul Doogue and ceatharlach of the council, Ken Murnane on the left
A TRIO of talented musicians from Carlow has just scooped first prize in this year’s Pan Celtic National Song Contest and will represent Ireland in the upcoming international competition in April.
The song contest took place in the George Bernard Shaw Theatre in Carlow recently and is part of the Pan Celtic ’26 festival, which celebrates Celtic culture.
There was great excitement when was announced as the overall winner. The song was a collaboration, with lyrics composed by Carlow native Dave Barron, melody by singer/musician Fiach Ó Muircheartaigh and a stunning performance by his wife Clara Hutchinson, with Fiach also on backing vocals.
Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan, singer and harpist Órla Fallon and Martin Bridgeman, broadcaster with Kclr96fm, were the judges who had the unenviable task of picking the winning song.
The song laments the ongoing destruction of the natural environment and habitats through pollution, resulting in the ever-declining numbers of birds, animals and fish, as well as the wiping out of the once common song of the cuckoo, curlew and corncrake. There was further excitement for Carlow when female harmony group enCÓRe were declared runners up with their composition while all three other local contestants Seán Breathnach, Cultúr Gaelcholáiste and Dara Eaton/Emmet Jones also delivered fine performances.
A packed theatre gathered to enjoy 15 songs which had made it to the final out of a total of 46 entries. The performers went head-to-head live on stage hoping to impress the judges and come away with the top prize and they sure did not disappoint with some stellar performances.
The song contest is run in association with Carlow Co Council, while Sophie Ford, marketing manager with IMRO, was on hand to present the popular winners Dave, Fiach and Clara with the national trophy and a cheque for €1,000. Ollie Hennessy was musical director ,while the Pan Celtic house band featuring Des Lacey on drums, Jimmy Smyth on guitar, Tommy Donoghue on bass, Niamh Keane on violin and Ollie on keyboard beautifully enhanced each of the performances.
will go forward to represent Ireland at the Pan Celtic International Song Contest in Carlow on Thursday 9 April during the Pan Celtic Festival 2026. It will compete against the national winning songs from the other participating celtic nations of Wales, Scotland, Brittany, Cornwall and the Isle of Man.
