Singer Imelda May has said her recent adventure across Ireland's Gaeltacht regions for her upcoming six-part series on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player "was such a personal journey".
Imelda May: Amhráin na nGael, which airs on Friday, 17 October at 8.30pm, follows the Johnny's Got a Boom Boom singer as she challenges her relationship with the Irish language through sean-nós singing.
The series joins May as she travels to Ireland's Gaeltacht regions, from An Rinn in Waterford to Múscraí in Cork, on to west Kerry, Conamara and further north to Toraigh, off the coast of Donegal, seeking to reignite her connection with the Irish language through traditional songs and the sean-nós tradition.
Throughout the series, May delves into the archives of music collectors who paved the way, taking inspiration from Risteard De Hindeberg, Elizabeth "Bess" Cronin and many others who passed on and preserved a rich heritage of songs.
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Ann Mulqueen, Caitlín Ní Chualáin and Maighréad and Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill each open their hearts to help May achieve her lifelong goal of fluency in Irish sean-nós, and a deeper understanding of the art of performing this cherished tradition.
She is also encouraged by the sean-nós singer and ethnomusicologist Lillis O’Laoire, and fellow musicians including Liam Ó Maonlaí and Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta along the way.
Speaking about the experience, May said: "Making this series was such a personal journey. I travelled the length of Ireland's precious Gaeltacht areas in search of a way back into our beloved mother tongue, after it was forced and kept out of many of us. I discovered that song seems to be a magical key to unlocking the path forward and I was met with such kindness, wisdom and warmth along the way by some of Ireland’s finest singers, poets and scholars."
She continued: "I hope I reflected on the often unspoken and sometimes complex relationship many of us have with our language. I hope that you will come with me on this gorgeous discovery and maybe narrow the divide a little between those who are fluent as Gaeilge, and those of us who’d love to be."
Imelda May: Amhráin na nGael will air on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Friday, 17 October at 8.30pm.
