Episode 3
Imelda arrives in Gaeltacht Mhúscraí in Cork to meet relatives of Elizabeth (Bess)
Cronin, who was visited and recorded by prominent song collectors Alan Lomax and
Séamus Ennis. Further west in Kerry, she meets accordionist and singer Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich
and performs a significant and beloved traditional song with Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh.
Clár 3
Sroicheann Imelda Gaeltacht Mhúscraí i gCorcaigh agus buaileann sí le gaolta Elizabeth (Bess) Cronin, ar thug bailitheoirí amhráin iomráiteacha Alan Lomax agus Séamus Ennis cuairt uirthi agus a rinne taifeadtaí di. Níos faide siar i gCiarraí Thiar, buaileann sí leis an gceoltóir agus amhránaí Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich agus casann sí amhrán traidisiúnta tábhachtach le Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh.
Series Overview
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.
