Bóthar na Smaointe, a new music composition by renowned fiddle player Aoife Ní Bhriain, will air on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta on Christmas Day.

Commissioned by Stiúideo Cuan in An Spidéal, it premiered at the studio and cultural venue in Conamara over five nights in late November.

The well-known musicians who took part in this project included Aoife Ní Bhriain (fiddle), Cormac McCarthy (piano), Mick O’Brien (uilleann pipes and whistle), Dan Bodwell (double bass) and Stephanie Keane (dancer).

The title of the commission award, Coimisiúin Charlie Lennon, acknowledged the contribution of the venue’s co-founder to music in Ireland. Leitrim-born Charlie, who made his home in An Spidéal, and who died in 2024, was a renowned fiddle player and composer.

“Tá coimisiún Charlie Lennon mar chuid lárnach de chlár ealaíne an Stiúideo agus muid ag tabhairt ardán d’ealaíontóirí náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta saothair nua den chaighdeán is airde a chur os comhair an phobail gach bliain, anseo i gcroílár Ghaeltacht Chonamara,” said a spokesperson for Stiúideo Cuan.

The production team from Stiúideo Cuan that worked on Bóthar na Smaointe included Darach Mac Con Iomaire, Sharon Ní Loideáin and Éilís Lennon, with Liam King on sound.

It was supported by the Arts Council and Ealaín na Gaeltachta and will air on RTÉ RnaG at 6pm next Thursday, December 25.

Pictured: Composer and fiddle player Aoife Ní Bhriain, whose new composition will be broadcast on RnaG on Christmas Day, has just been announced as Traditional Artist in Residence at UCC.