FUAIM Concert to Showcase UCC’s Dónal ‘Doc’ Gleeson Award Winners

University College Cork’s (UCC) Department of Music will host the annual FUAIM concert this Friday, celebrating the recipients of the 2024-25 Dónal ‘Doc’ Gleeson Awards for outstanding undergraduate performance. The concert will seize place in the Ó Riada Hall in the UCC Music Building on Sunday’s Well Road, beginning at 1:10 PM, and is open to the public free of charge.

Celebrating Musical Excellence

This year’s awardees are Ríona Hely (concertina), Maeve O’Driscoll (voice, guitar), Cian O’Leary (voice, guitar), and Ben Hurley Wilkinson (voice, guitar, piano). The concert will feature performances by each of these talented students.

The Dónal ‘Doc’ Gleeson Awards: A Legacy of Support

The Dónal ‘Doc’ Gleeson Awards were established by the Dublin Postal Clerks Branch of the Communication Workers’ Union in memory of their colleague, Dónal ‘Doc’ Gleeson. The fund supports instrumental tuition awards for deserving undergraduate music students at UCC, with up to four awards granted each year.

Meet the Recipients

Ríona Hely

Ríona Hely, a second-year Music and Irish student at UCC, is a skilled concertina player from Ennis, County Clare. She is also a recipient of the Quercus Creative and Performing Arts Scholarship. Hely’s musical style is influenced by the East Clare tradition, having learned from renowned concertina player Mary MacNamara. She currently teaches concertina in both Ennis and Douglas Comhaltas in Cork and has received accolades including Siansa Gael Linn in 2023 and the Bonn Óir Seán Ó Riada in January of this year. She will be joined by Evan Ó Cualáin on bouzouki for her performance.

Ben Hurley Wilkinson

Ben Hurley Wilkinson, a third-year Arts-Music student studying Economics and Music, will perform lead vocals, piano, and guitar. He will be accompanied by Mia Nergadze on backing vocals and Eimear Kelleher on violin.

Cian O’Leary

Cian O’Leary, a final-year Music and History student, is the lead singer of the band The Blow Ins. The band has opened for artists such as The Mary Wallopers and James Vincent McMorrow and has performed at numerous music festivals. Their debut EP, ‘Meant to Be,’ was named EP of the Month by Darkus Magazine, which described the band as “poets of music.” O’Leary and The Blow Ins – featuring Oisín on backing vocals and guitar, and Darragh on accordion – will perform at the concert.

Maeve O’Driscoll

Maeve O’Driscoll, a second-year Arts-Music student studying Music and Geography, is a multi-instrumentalist proficient in guitar, vocals, and piano.

Event Details

The concert will be held in the Music Building, located in St. Vincent’s on Sunday’s Well Road (Eircode T23 HF50). Limited onsite parking is available. All FUAIM concerts start at 1:10 PM. Further details on the Spring 2026 series can be found here. Updates are also available on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.