THE IRISH AURAL exam can be a testing time for some Leaving Cert students. But one person who was delighted to hear a Donegal accent booming from the speakers was Cathal Ó Curráin – because he was hearing about a topic very familiar to him.

Speaking to Barrscéalta on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta today, Cathal, who is from Gaoth Dobhair, said he “was in fits laughing” when he realised his band featured in the aural part of Irish Paper 1 on Monday.

I thought it was very funny.  I was sitting in the corner, and when we got the paper everyone turned around saying  ‘that’s ye’. I knew the answers before we heard the recording.

Cathal Ó Curráin with other members of An Crann Óg RTÉ RTÉ

The questions on the listening comprehension related to Cathal’s band An Crann Óg, for example “What did the Minister for State grant to An Crann Óg?” and ”Name two things about the busy year the group had in 2015?”

He said that everyone in the room joined in on the laughter, messing by saying it was a fix.

120,000 people did the exam and it’s a great thing for An Crann Óg that we were mentioned in the exam.

An Crann Óg is a group of young trad musicians, established by Caitlín and PJ Joe Jack in 2007 to promote Irish traditional music among younger generations.

Cathal is hoping to study Irish and music in University of Limerick next year.

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