Main pic: The late Pauline Hanly (née Sweeney) pictured in the early 1980s.
A renowned Donegal sean-nós singer will be remembered this weekend at the official launch of the Roscommon County Fleadh.
Pauline Sweeney-Hanly (63), who was a native of Killygordon, passed away in June, 2014.
Originally from The Curragh, she moved to County Roscommon in the early 1970s after marrying the well-known flautist, Patsy Hanly. The couple met while touring the US with the Irish traditional music organisation, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCE).
Pauline will receive a posthumous Gradam award from CCÉ Bhaile Ros Comáin at the launch of their county fleadh on Sunday for “her wonderful contribution to traditional singing in the area”, the organisers said. The event will take place in the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon Town, at 5pm, where songs by her family and friends will be performed.
A spokesperson Roscommon CCE described the late Ms Hanly as ‘the voice of Donegal and the soul of seán nós’ singing.
“The art of seán nós (‘old style’ singing) is not merely about a beautiful voice; it is about channelling history, language, and landscape into a single, raw performance. Few embodied this truth as completely and with such genuine humility as Pauline,” they said.
“An All-Ireland champion, a dedicated mentor, and a beloved figure in the traditional music community, her contribution to this uniquely Irish art form continues to resonate, long after her passing.
“Born with the clear sound of her native Donegal in her accent, Pauline’s style was profoundly influenced by her local heritage. While recognised by her peers as a great singer, she always considered her voice secondary to the narrative. Her artistry lay in her profound attention to the lyrics, striving always to convey the story’s true meaning.”
Pauline’s mastery was formally recognised with an impressive streak of competitive success, earning her the All-Ireland title three years running in 1978, 1979, and 1980.
“These victories cemented her place in the history of Irish music, yet her truest legacy lies not in the trophies she won, but in the talent she nurtured,” the spokesperson added.
A cherished anecdote tells of a late-night session and lock-in in Doughill, Roscommon, in the early 1980s. When the Gardaí arrived, Pauline simply kept singing.
“They (guards) made no move to stop her, perhaps held captive by the sheer power of her voice, a Donegal accent weaving its magic into the early morning air—a beautiful testament to how her art could transcend the political and the mundane.”
The Roscommon County Fleadh will take place over the Easter weekend, from April 3rd to the 6th. For further information, go to the Roscommon Comhaltas Facebook page or email roscommonfleadh@gmail.com
Late Donegal sean-nós singer to be remembered in Roscommon this weekend was last modified: March 19th, 2026 by Staff Writer
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