Donegal's Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh is best known as founder and frontwoman of the iconic traditional music band Altan.
She has also forged an important solo career as an artist, musician and composer, and is well-known as a member of T With The Maggies, Na Mooneys and SíFiddlers.
This August, Mairéad and Altan will join the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and conductor David Brophy for an evening featuring some of the band's greatest hits at the National Concert Hall, Dublin.
Mairéad chats with Miriam O'Callaghan below.
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We asked Mairéad for her choice cultural picks...
FILM
An Cailín Ciúin - a film of great beauty in every way possible. The use of the Irish language makes it more mystical and helps create the atmosphere which captures the imagination. Beautifully directed by Colm Bairéad, a story of finding a voice in the silence.
MUSIC
I enjoy hearing new music and keep my ears picked up for new emerging artists like Fontaines D.C., Bell X1, Ye Vagabonds, Róisín O, Aoife Scott, and a myriad of young traditional artists like Aoife Ní Bhriain, Megan McGinley, Skipper's Alley, The Bonny Men, The Friel Sisters . . . I’m very impressed with the thriving Irish music scene, it’s incredible.
BOOK
Cnámh by Donegal man Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde. It’s a series of short stories, with a deep understanding of human nature and human behaviour. An intelligent, creative writer using his contemporary sensibilities to express himself through the medium of his native tongue.
TV
I’m not an avid television person, but when I get a chance I get a great laugh from Schitt’s Creek on Netflix. I adore the quirky sense of humour and outrageous costumes that the character Moira wears in small-town America.
GIG
Skipper’s Alley, one of my favourite bands, in a packed small community hall in the Glen of Glenties during 'Ceol na gCruach’ festival in May. A magical evening of tunes, humour and song and then we went to the Glen tavern and played music until the early hours.
ART
Bernadette Kiely is an amazing artist living in Thomastown in Co. Kilkenny. I got to know her while she was visiting north-west Donegal many years ago. I actually bought her Local Ground piece back then and we in Altan used it on our album of the same title.
As part of #ArtsCouncilAt70, we're sharing a series of blogs by @Aosdana members that explore creativity and collaboration.
— The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon (@artscouncil_ie) December 1, 2022
This week, artist @berkiel shares some of her work in a video piece titled 'The River, The Pit and the Power of Local Knowledge'. https://t.co/SVjKXnQYEs pic.twitter.com/VuHAeIysgE
RADIO
Beo ar Éigean. This is a podcast by three young women - Áine Ní Bhreisleáin, Sinéad Ní Uallacháin and Siún Ní Dhuinn - with an intelligent, humorous view on contemporary life.
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TECH
Apple Tag. I have a few of these to put into luggage, instruments, handbags, etc. and through my Find It app on my phone I can detect where everything is. It’s especially useful while touring as you can keep an eye on where your stuff is, or if your luggage has arrived along with you at your destination.
THE NEXT BIG THING...
Artificial Intelligence, or AI. This is truly an amazing time that we live in as all knowledge is at our fingertips, on our phones or computers. It’s immediate and can be accessed from anywhere with internet or 4/5 G connections. This is a game-changer in education, in research, in how knowledge is shared and taught. We really haven’t any understanding on the huge impact that this will have on our future. Hopefully, we will use it to benefit humanity rather than destroy it.
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Altan join the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and conductor David Brophy at the National Concert Hall, Dublin on August 18th - find out more here.
