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Imeall

Introduction by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh

I came back to live in County Donegal five years ago to spend some time with my ailing Father and to raise my daughter, Nia, here amongst my family on the edge of the Atlantic. It is here, back home, on these remote shores of the Rosses and Gaoth Dobhair that I wa compelled to compose new pieces of music and song and record them on this new recording which I call “Imeall”.

Imeall means edge, rim, threshold in Gaelic. Imeall is a place which sums up my life at the moment and I want to embrace the next stage! I was fortunate that my neighbour and friend Manus Lunny has a recording studio nearby and I was able to work at my own pace and record the pieces when I was ready to do so.

There is a fantastic view of Gola from Manus’studio, and often while playing some of these pieces I was totally lost in the scene, hence the fairy boats in Nia’s song….Mo Níon Ó. This recording process was effortless and hugely enjoyable and creative for me.

Thanks to Manus, Yvonne, Croíse and Tuathal for opening their home to myself, Nia and Blondie (the pup) while we were recording. I am extremely thankful to all the musicians and friends who gave their time and talent so generously and rallied around me over the last few years…..I will be forever grateful.

A big thanks to Jim Higgins, Tim Edey, Annbjørg Lien, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Graham Henderson, Donal Lunny, and Micheal McGoldrick for their talented musical contribution on this recording.

Imeall

Réamhra le Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh

Is ar imeall na farraige móire atá mé ag cur fúm le cúig bliana anois ó tháinig mé ar ais ‘na bhaile le cónaí i dTír Chonaill. Bhí cupla cúis gur shocraigh mé pilleadh – bhí mé i ndiaidh girseach bheag a bheith agam agus bhí mé ag iarraidh í a thógailt i measc mo mhuintire féin sa Ghealtacht.

Is ea an chúis eile ná go raibh sláinte m’athar ag dul i léig agus bhí mé ag iarraidh am a chaitheamh leis, agus bhí sin againn le chéile gur éag sé dhá bhliain ó shin. Is anseo a fuair mé spreagadh agus uchtach leis an taifead seo a dhéanamh, i measc na gcloch is na dtúrtóg, ar chósta iargúlta Ghaoth Dobhair agus na Rosann. Tháinig na píosaí nua-chumtha liom go réidh anseo agus níl anseo ach an tús!

Bhí me ádhúil go bhfuil stiúideo ag mo chara Manus Lunny béal dorais anseo agus ghlac mé m’am ag scagadh agus ag scáinseáil na bpíosaí. Tá radharc gálanta ó fhuinneog stiúideo Mhanuis ag amharc amach ar Óilean Ghabhla agus is iomaí uair agus mé ag taifeadadh na n-amhrán agus na bport seo a chaill mé mé féin san íomhá sin, oiread agus go raibh mé ar bhád sí i lár na farraige móire.

Bhain mé sult as cuimse as an phróiseas go léir, ag cruinniú na bpíosaí agus ag cumadh amhrán agus port, ag triaill amach rudaí úra, agus d’fhoghlaim mé cuid mhór ón rud uilig.

Caithfidh mé buíochas ó chroí a thabhairt do Mhanus, ná ní h-amháin gur sár-cheoltóir é ach bhí fís aige ar caidé an dóigh le rudaí a chur, agus chuir sé cuid mhór oibre isteach sna cóiriúcháin.

Lena cois sin, thug sé cead mo chinn domhsa mo rogha rud a dhéanamh agus m’am a ghlacadh le achan rud a fháil i gceart.