(Foireann Gaeltachta The Journal a chuir an scéal seo ar fáil. Tá leagan as Gaeilge anseo.) 

COMPETITORS IN THE inaugural rap competition at Oireachtas na Gaeilge in Belfast were surprised when they took to the stage at the Ionad Cois Cuain in the city yesterday to find out the judges were Moglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí from the world famous Belfast group Kneecap.

This was the first time ever that there was a rap competition among the traditional singing competitions, duet interviews and lúibíní (musical duet interviews) at the Oireachtas and seven people were entered in the competition.

Traditionally the names of the judges are mentioned along with the list of competitors on the official programme but no names were mentioned in the competition this time.

There were six from Gaelscoil Bharra in Cabra in Dublin and one competitor from Derry. In the end it was Piaras Mac Dúglais from Gaelscoil Bharra who won the first prize, the Ghearóid Uí Chairealláin Commemorative Cup and a silver medal.

Naoise, or Moglaí Bap as he is better known, is the son of Gearóid. Gearóid passed away last December.

Later that night, Moglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí were on stage themselves, both performing with Le Boom, young rappers who sing in Irish like Kneecap. The venue for the gig, Tábhairne an Choirceog/Beehive Bar, in west Belfast, was packed to the rafters for the event.

There were many other events taking place in venues across Belfast on Thursday, including traditional Irish singing competitions and other events. Stíofán Ó Cualáin from Leitir Mealláin took home one of the big prizes of the day, the Corn na bhFear. The Corn na mBan will be there tonight (Friday night) and the Corn Uí Riada will be there on Saturday.

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Another new competition on the stage on Friday is Singing with Guitar Accompaniment and the Albert Fry Memorial Trophy, a renowned Belfast singer, as a prize for the winner. Among the judges for this competition is Máiréad Ní Mhaonaigh, lead singer and musician with Altan.

The Journal’s Gaeltacht initiative is supported by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme