Episode 1
In Dublin’s Liberties, Imelda meets her sisters to share nerves and excitement for the journey ahead. Award-winning sean-nós singer Lillis Ó Laoire is her guide, with Liam Ó Maonlai on hand for creative advice.
Synopsis
In a new six-part series, Imelda May embarks on an exploratory and emotional journey across Ireland’s Gaeltacht regions as she challenges her relationship with the Irish language through songs and sean-nós singing.
She spends time with some incredible female singers who teach her some sean-nós songs, as well as local singers from the Gaeltacht regions who have carried these traditions across generations. Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Ann Mulqueen, Caitlín Ní Chualáin and Maighread & Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill open their hearts to listen and help Imelda achieve a lifelong goal of fluency in Irish sean-nós or at least understanding the deep art of performing this cherished tradition.
Throughout the series, Imelda explores the archives of some of the incredible music collectors that went before her, from Risteard De Hindeberg to Elizabeth “Bess” Cronin. Along the way, she is joined by expert sean-nós singer and ethnomusicologist Lillis O’Laoire, as well as fellow musicians Liam O’Maonlai and Séamus & Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta.
A new sense of pride, belonging and identity is reawakened, as Imelda performs deep from the heart, and the work of these great collectors is rightly brought centre stage.
