Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin
Encyclopedia
Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin is an Irish
schoolteacher, television personality, and singer from County Mayo
, who won the 2005 Rose of Tralee
contest. Ní Shúilleabháin graduated with a first-class honours degree in theoretical physics from University College Dublin
in 2005 and won the Mayo Rose competition in June 2005, becoming an early favourite to win the national contest. Following her victory in August 2005, she represented the Rose of Tralee festival for a year.
In 2007, Ní Shúilleabháin toured internationally with traditional Irish music band Ragús and appeared on RTÉ Television
as a member of The Panel. She participated in the reality television show Celebrity Bainisteoir
in 2008 and hosted The Reel Deal, an Irish music show, on RTÉ in 2009. Previously working as a teacher in St Mark's Community School in Tallaght
, South Dublin
, teaching mathematics and science, as of 2011 she is undertaking a PhD
at Trinity College, Dublin
.
near Ballyglass
in southern County Mayo
. Art is director of the Mayo Education Centre and Maire is vice-principal of the Castlebar
gaelscoil
. She has five younger brothers and is fluent in Irish
. Ní Shúilleabháin and her brothers are members of the Irish cultural organisation Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
and she has won for singing in the national Fleadh Cheoil
competition. She studied theoretical physics at University College Dublin
and graduated with a first-class honours degree in 2005.
after singing "Summerfly" by Irish singer Maura O'Connell
and accompanying herself on guitar. She qualified in July 2005 for the finals of the Rose of Tralee
contest. As the result of a rules change Ní Shúilleabháin was the first Mayo Rose as final contestant in the history of the competition. She toured Ireland with the other finalists in August 2005 and sang for the final competition. Ní Shúilleabháin was considered by bookmakers to be an early favourite to win the Rose of Tralee contest.
Ní Shúilleabháin was crowned the 47th Rose of Tralee
on 23 August 2005 in a ceremony broadcast by RTÉ Television
and watched by three quarters of Irish television viewers. She had been accepted by University College Dublin to a master's degree
in computational science
, which was to start in September 2005, but instead worked as a representative for the Rose of Tralee festival for a year after her win.
and sings sean-nós song
s. Ní Shúilleabháin appeared as a member of The Panel on RTÉ Two
in 2007. She participated in the 2008 season
of Celebrity Bainisteoir
on RTÉ One
, managing a Gaelic football
team from Kiltimagh.
In 2009, Ní Shúilleabháin studied for a higher diploma
in education at Trinity College, Dublin
, where she regularly hosted events for the Science Gallery
, and began to work as a student teacher
for mathematics, physics, and Irish language in Tallaght
, South Dublin
. She graduated with her higher diploma to teach at secondary level the same year. She hosted the weekly Irish music show The Reel Deal on RTÉ Television
for six episodes from June to July 2009. She served as ambassador for the Irish language festival Seachtain na Gaeilge
in March 2010.
host Ryan Tubridy
until 2010. She resides in Dublin.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
schoolteacher, television personality, and singer from County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
, who won the 2005 Rose of Tralee
Rose of Tralee (festival)
The Rose of Tralee festival is an international competition which is celebrated among Irish communities all over the world. The festival takes its inspiration from a nineteenth century ballad of the same name about a woman called Mary, who because of her beauty was called The Rose of Tralee. The...
contest. Ní Shúilleabháin graduated with a first-class honours degree in theoretical physics from University College Dublin
University College Dublin
University College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...
in 2005 and won the Mayo Rose competition in June 2005, becoming an early favourite to win the national contest. Following her victory in August 2005, she represented the Rose of Tralee festival for a year.
In 2007, Ní Shúilleabháin toured internationally with traditional Irish music band Ragús and appeared on RTÉ Television
RTÉ Television
RTÉ Television is a department of Ireland's state broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann.The first channel to broadcast was Telefís Éireann which began broadcasting on 31 December 1961...
as a member of The Panel. She participated in the reality television show Celebrity Bainisteoir
Celebrity Bainisteoir
Celebrity Bainisteoir is a prime-time reality programme produced for Radio Telefís Éireann, which was produced by Animo Television/Kite Entertainment...
in 2008 and hosted The Reel Deal, an Irish music show, on RTÉ in 2009. Previously working as a teacher in St Mark's Community School in Tallaght
Tallaght
Tallaght is the largest town, and county town, of South Dublin County, Ireland. The village area, dating from at least the 17th century, held one of the earliest settlements known in the southern part of the island, and one of medieval Ireland's more important monastic centres.Up to the 1960s...
, South Dublin
South Dublin
South Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is one of three smaller counties into which County Dublin was divided in 1994. The county seat is Tallaght, the largest suburb of Dublin and the biggest urban centre in the county. Other important centres of population are Lucan and Clondalkin...
, teaching mathematics and science, as of 2011 she is undertaking a PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
at Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
.
Early life
Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin was born 1983 or 1984 to parents Art and Maire and is a native of CarnaconCarnacon
Carnacon is a small village in central County Mayo in Ireland. It is situated about 12 miles from Castlebar, and is about 8 miles from Claremorris and Ballinrobe. The population of Carnacon is estimated at 200 houses.-Background:...
near Ballyglass
Ballyglass
Ballyglass is a small village in central County Mayo in Ireland. It is situated about 10 miles from Castlebar, and closer to Claremorris and Ballinrobe...
in southern County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
. Art is director of the Mayo Education Centre and Maire is vice-principal of the Castlebar
Castlebar
Castlebar is the county town of, and at the centre of, County Mayo in Ireland. It is Mayo's largest town by population. The town's population exploded in the late 1990s, increasing by one-third in just six years, though this massive growth has slowed down greatly in recent years...
gaelscoil
Gaelscoil
A gaelscoil is an Irish-medium primary school in Ireland, of a sort found outside the traditionally Irish-speaking regions, especially in urban areas....
. She has five younger brothers and is fluent in Irish
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
. Ní Shúilleabháin and her brothers are members of the Irish cultural organisation Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is the primary Irish organisation dedicated to the promotion of the music, song, dance and the language of Ireland. The name of the organisation is often abbreviated to Comhaltas or CCÉ...
and she has won for singing in the national Fleadh Cheoil
Fleadh Cheoil
The Fleadh Cheoil is an Irish music competition run by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann or more commonly known as "Comhaltas" ....
competition. She studied theoretical physics at University College Dublin
University College Dublin
University College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...
and graduated with a first-class honours degree in 2005.
Rose of Tralee contest
Ní Shúilleabháin won the Mayo Rose competition on 15 June 2005 in CastlebarCastlebar
Castlebar is the county town of, and at the centre of, County Mayo in Ireland. It is Mayo's largest town by population. The town's population exploded in the late 1990s, increasing by one-third in just six years, though this massive growth has slowed down greatly in recent years...
after singing "Summerfly" by Irish singer Maura O'Connell
Maura O'Connell
Maura O'Connell is an Irish singer and actress. She is known for her contemporary interpretations of Irish folk songs, strongly influenced by American country music.-Background:...
and accompanying herself on guitar. She qualified in July 2005 for the finals of the Rose of Tralee
Rose of Tralee (festival)
The Rose of Tralee festival is an international competition which is celebrated among Irish communities all over the world. The festival takes its inspiration from a nineteenth century ballad of the same name about a woman called Mary, who because of her beauty was called The Rose of Tralee. The...
contest. As the result of a rules change Ní Shúilleabháin was the first Mayo Rose as final contestant in the history of the competition. She toured Ireland with the other finalists in August 2005 and sang for the final competition. Ní Shúilleabháin was considered by bookmakers to be an early favourite to win the Rose of Tralee contest.
Ní Shúilleabháin was crowned the 47th Rose of Tralee
Rose of Tralee (festival)
The Rose of Tralee festival is an international competition which is celebrated among Irish communities all over the world. The festival takes its inspiration from a nineteenth century ballad of the same name about a woman called Mary, who because of her beauty was called The Rose of Tralee. The...
on 23 August 2005 in a ceremony broadcast by RTÉ Television
RTÉ Television
RTÉ Television is a department of Ireland's state broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann.The first channel to broadcast was Telefís Éireann which began broadcasting on 31 December 1961...
and watched by three quarters of Irish television viewers. She had been accepted by University College Dublin to a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in computational science
Computational science
Computational science is the field of study concerned with constructing mathematical models and quantitative analysis techniques and using computers to analyze and solve scientific problems...
, which was to start in September 2005, but instead worked as a representative for the Rose of Tralee festival for a year after her win.
Career after Rose of Tralee
In 2007, Ní Shúilleabháin toured the United States, Japan, and Europe as the lead singer of Ragús, a traditional Irish music band. She has stated that she plays the concertinaConcertina
A concertina is a free-reed musical instrument, like the various accordions and the harmonica. It has a bellows and buttons typically on both ends of it. When pressed, the buttons travel in the same direction as the bellows, unlike accordion buttons which travel perpendicularly to it...
and sings sean-nós song
Sean-nós song
Sean-nós is a highly ornamented style of unaccompanied traditional Irish singing. It is a sean-nós activity, which also includes sean-nós dancing...
s. Ní Shúilleabháin appeared as a member of The Panel on RTÉ Two
RTÉ Two
RTÉ Two is a free-to-air general entertainment channel operated by Irish state broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann. RTÉ Two is available throughout the island of Ireland through digital terrestrial service Saorview, VHF and UHF bands, and is also available via satellite to Irish subscribers of...
in 2007. She participated in the 2008 season
Celebrity Bainisteoir (season 1)
The first season of Celebrity Bainisteoir was broadcast in Ireland on RTÉ One from 23 March 2008. It was won by the radio and television presenter Marty Whelan who replaced Fianna Fáil TD Mary O'Rourke as bainisteoir of Maryland, County Westmeath, during the series...
of Celebrity Bainisteoir
Celebrity Bainisteoir
Celebrity Bainisteoir is a prime-time reality programme produced for Radio Telefís Éireann, which was produced by Animo Television/Kite Entertainment...
on RTÉ One
RTÉ One
RTÉ One is the flagship television channel of Raidió Teilifís Éireann , and it is the most popular and most watched television channel in Ireland. It was launched as Telefís Éireann on 31 December 1961, it was renamed RTÉ Television in 1966, and it was renamed as RTÉ One upon the launch of RTÉ...
, managing a Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
team from Kiltimagh.
In 2009, Ní Shúilleabháin studied for a higher diploma
Higher diploma
A higher diploma is an academic award in Libya, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Ireland and Oman. In Libya the award is equivalent to a bachelor's degree in engineering or technology, in Hong Kong it is below the standard of the bachelor's degree, in Ireland it is above the standard of the bachelor's...
in education at Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
, where she regularly hosted events for the Science Gallery
Science Gallery
The Science Gallery is a public science centre at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. Opened in 2008 and housed in Trinity's Naughton Institute, it holds various exhibitions and lectures with a view to science outreach and art-science collaborations. Unlike most science centres, it has no permanent...
, and began to work as a student teacher
Student teacher
A student teacher is a college or graduate student who is teaching under the supervision of a certified teacher in order to qualify for a degree in education...
for mathematics, physics, and Irish language in Tallaght
Tallaght
Tallaght is the largest town, and county town, of South Dublin County, Ireland. The village area, dating from at least the 17th century, held one of the earliest settlements known in the southern part of the island, and one of medieval Ireland's more important monastic centres.Up to the 1960s...
, South Dublin
South Dublin
South Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is one of three smaller counties into which County Dublin was divided in 1994. The county seat is Tallaght, the largest suburb of Dublin and the biggest urban centre in the county. Other important centres of population are Lucan and Clondalkin...
. She graduated with her higher diploma to teach at secondary level the same year. She hosted the weekly Irish music show The Reel Deal on RTÉ Television
RTÉ Television
RTÉ Television is a department of Ireland's state broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann.The first channel to broadcast was Telefís Éireann which began broadcasting on 31 December 1961...
for six episodes from June to July 2009. She served as ambassador for the Irish language festival Seachtain na Gaeilge
Seachtain na Gaeilge
Seachtain na Gaeilge is a non-profit organisation which aims to promote the Irish language during a two week festival held at the beginning of March every year...
in March 2010.
Personal life
Ní Shúilleabháin broke up with her long-term boyfriend after winning the Rose of Tralee contest and has dated The Late Late ShowThe Late Late Show
The Late Late Show, sometimes referred to as The Late Late, or in some cases by the acronym LLS, is the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster and the official flagship television programme of Irish broadcasting company RTÉ...
host Ryan Tubridy
Ryan Tubridy
Ryan Tubridy , affectionately known as "Tubs", is an Irish broadcaster and writer, a presenter of live shows on radio and television in Ireland. He has been described as "one of Ireland's most gifted broadcasters"...
until 2010. She resides in Dublin.