Is in Árainn Mhór a bhí cónaí ar Róise Rua, duine de mhórcheoltóirí sean-nóis an chéid. I gColáiste Árainn Mhóir leanann muid leis an traidisiún seo. Tá ceoltóirí cumasacha ag obair linn mar mhúinteoirí ceoil in Árainn Mhóir a bhfuil tuiscint mhaith acu ar an traidisiún ach nach bhfuil leisce orthu triall a bhaint as an cheol nua-aimseartha. Déanann muid iarracht mar sin meascán de amhráin traidisiúnta agus nua-aimseartha a chur roimhe na scoláirí. I rith na mblianta tá ardchaighdeán bainte amach ag scoláirí an choláiste, agus le blianta beaga anuas tháinig Raidió na Gaeltachta agus Teilifís na Gaeilge isteach chun an oileáin chun taifead a dhéanamh ar ár ngrúpaí ceoil. Ceolann cór an choláiste ag an Aifreann gach Domhnach i rith an tsamhraidh.

Damhsa
Ag deireadh an chúrsa beidh achan scoláire ábalta ar an laghad 9-10 ndamhsa céilí/seite a dhéanamh. Is é an chéilí a bhaineann an chuid is mó dár scoláirí sult as. Cuireann sé iontas ar fhoireann an choláiste i gcónaí an méid suilt a bhaineann daoine óga as na damhsaí traidisiúnta. Cuireann múinteoirí, a bhfuil ardchumas bainte amach acu, teagasc saineolach ar fáil achan lá ar na damhsaí Gaelacha. Sin ráite ní dheantar dearmad ar na faisiúin nua. Tá cuid dár n-iarscoláirí anois ag damhsa go proifisiúnta le Riverdance agus compántais eile. ócaid sóisialta is í an chéilí. Faigheann achan scoláire seans taispeántas a dhéanamh. Dóibh siúd nach bhfuil suim acu dul os comhair an phobail, tá scoth an cheoil agus an damhsa ann dóibh.

Ag damhsa

One of Árainn Mhór’s most renowned daughters was Róise Rua, who was nationally recognised as one of the most important sean-nós singers of the century. In Coláiste árainn Mhóir we try to live up to her memory. We are very fortunate to have several accomplished musicians on staff in árainn Mhór, who have a deep understanding of the tradition but who never shy away from modern trends in singing and traditional music. We endeavour to present our students with a mixture of traditional and more contemporary Irish music. Over the years we have established a name for ourselves as a college which has achieved a very high standard in musical ability. Recognition of this fact came in recent times when both Raidió na Gaeltachta and Teilifís na Gaeilge sent crews into the island to record our students. The College Choir and instrumental group provide the musical accompaniment at the weekly Mass in the island chapel.

Singing Class

Dancing
At the end of the course each student will be able to do at least 9-10 céilí/set dances. The céilí is the highlight of many students time spent in the Gaeltacht. It never ceases to amaze the College staff, that young people, who are so sophisticated in many other ways, get so much enjoyment out of the traditional Irish dances. Teachers, who themselves are accomplished dancers, provide expert tuition every day in dance. Having said that modern fashions are not ignored. Some of our past pupils are now touring with professional companies and one young man who spent many years in árainn Mhór is currently touring with Riverdance. The céilí is a social occasion. Each student is given ample opportunity to display their talents during the ceilí, but for those who don’t wish to perform publicly there is the best of music and dance provided.