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Lillis Ó Laoire grew up in Gort an Choirce, County Donegal, where Donnchadh Ó Baoill was a schoolteacher. He was aware of Donnchadh when he was growing up because Donnchadh was well-known for his songs, although he died when Lillis was very young. Lillis won Corn Uí Riada on two occasions at the annual Oireachats festival and in 2020 he was conferred with the TG4 Amhránaí na Bliana – Singer of the Year Award. He is delighted to be part of this project. He is Professor in the Department of Irish, National University of Ireland, Galway.He has published books and articles, in Irish and in English on singing and ethnology in addition to many other aspects of folklore and folkloristics. His best known publications include On a Rock in the Middle of the Ocean and Bright Star of the West: Joe Heaney, Irish Song Man.
