Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill, Paddy Glackin and Dáithí Sproule perform 'An Cailín Gaelach'.
Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill performs the traditional Irish song 'An Cailín Gaelach' (The Irish Girl) accompanied by Paddy Glackin on fiddle and Dáithí Sproule on guitar.
The song is a traditional Irish ballad telling a tale of unrequited love. A young man approaches a woman, speaking to her in Irish. She declines his advances in English.
D'fhiafraigh mé dithe go ciúin 's go céillí
'An nglacfaidh tú póg uaim a stór mo chroí?'
D'oscail sí a beilín 'gus labhair sí Béarla
'S é duirt sí 'Pray sir, and let me be'
The song ends with the young man lamenting how an Irish girl would appreciate all that he has to offer. The young man represents the traditional old way of life, whereas she represents the modern English-speaking ways.
Renowned collector of traditional music Seán O Boyle collected this song from Áodh Ó Duibheannaigh in Ranafast, County Donegal in the 1930s. Since then, the song has become a staple in the traditional Irish music canon.
This episode of 'Iris '89’ was broadcast on 15 July 1989. The presenter is Bríd Óg Ní Bhuachalla.
The Irish language series 'Iris' (meaning ‘journal’ or ‘magazine’) was first broadcast on 19 February 1985.
Presented by Michael Davitt and Maireád Ní Nuadháin it featured a wide range of topics. Its main focus was on issues affecting Gaeltacht communities and Gaeilgeoirí but it also contained reports on the arts, traditional music and current affairs.
Reporters were Maireád Ní Nuadháin, Michael Davitt, Eamon Ó Muirí, Pat Butler, Eoghan Ó Tuairisc, Breandán Ó Tuairisg, Áine Ní Ghlinn and Brídóg Ní Bhuachalla.
The series was produced by Cian Ó hEigeartaigh and Tony MacMahon, Brian Mac Lochlainn, Aindreas Ó Gallchóir, Michael McCarthy, Gerry Murray, Donall Farmer, Mícheál Ó Conaola and Tish Barry. ‘Iris’ ran until 1990.
