New, unique InterGaelic song project
I’m delighted to announce that I have joined forces with two fantastic traditional singers for a new InterGaelic song project, which links the music and language of the Isle of Man, Scotland and Ireland. While there have been many moves to re-establish Scottish-Irish links in recent times, there has never been – until now – a project that unites the three Gaelic traditions. I – a Manx Gaelic singer with strong ancestral roots in the Isle of Man – join highly respected and renowned Scottish musician and singer Mary Ann Kennedy and Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin – a singer and musician from a Connemara sean nós dynasty in the West of Ireland. Together we are ‘Aon Teanga – Un Çhengey’: One Tongue.
At one time, the Gaelic influence – politically, culturally, linguistically – extended as one down the length of Scotland, Ireland and Man, with the sea as the main highway between. The Gaelic language was a single tongue, uniting folk acro
ss Sruth na Maoile and the Irish Sea. Aon Teanga – Un Çhengey recognises the fundamental place of the Isle of Man in Gaeldom’s cultural triskelion, the classic Celtic triple-spiral. And with the recent burgeoning renaissance of traditional music on the island, Manx song is finding its place both at home and within her wider Gaelic family. What better time for the three song traditions to find their single voice again?
Together we are creating a Gaelic song-world that delves into traditional roots while boldly asserting the place of the Gaelic languages and culture in a contemporary world.
The music created and re-imagined includes new music and lyrics, contemporary reworkings of ancient texts, and adventurous arrangements of classic traditional material, all inspired by signature elements of Gaelic culture – the epic texts of common legend whose filmic scale and concepts offer limitless possibilities to the imagination, and the sea, the original ‘highway’ between the three nations linking one language and culture.
Hosting the project are Comar on the Isle of Mull in Scotland, the hugely successful music, theatre and arts organisation whose musical partnerships have included Michael Marra, Martyn Bennett, Aidan O’ Rourke and Sorren MacLean. Comar will be working in partnership with West Highland recording studios Watercolour Music, and with Culture Vannin (Isle of Man) and Culturlann McAdam Ó Fiaich the traditional arts centre in the heart of Belfast.
Aon Teanga – Un Çhengey is supported by the PRS Foundation’s Beyond Borders fund, one of the flagship programmes of the new music commissioning organisation. It is unique in its interpretation of the ‘Borders’ implied, but a perfect fit for the aspirations of the fund. We’re also delighted to be supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council (as part of their ‘Island of Culture‘ initiative) for the production of our album, which we are in the process of recording.
Stay updated with news, photos of recording and other media for Aon Teanga – Un Çhengey by visiting my website in coming weeks.