Imelda May embarks on a deeply personal journey as she challenges her relationship with the Irish language through sean-nós singing in a new six-part series, Imelda May: Amhráin na nGael, beginning on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Friday 17 October at 8.30pm.
The series follows Imelda 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. She digs deep, searching for songs that resonate with her emotionally and help her to connect with this style of singing.
Sa tsraith nua sé chuid seo, téann Imelda May ar thuras mothúchánach agus fiosrach timpeall Ghaeltachtaí na hÉireann agus í ag tabhairt aghaidh ar a caidreamh leis an nGaeilge trí amhráin ar an sean-nós. Ag leanúint lorg na mbailitheoirí móra ceoil, cuireann sí a croí agus a hanam isteach ina sprioc chun gach aon fhocal de na hamhráin seo a thuiscint. An dtiocfaidh sí ar amhráin a spreagfaidh í ó thaobh mothúcháin de, agus an ndéanfaidh sí ceangal leis an stíl traidisiúnta amhránaíochta seo?
Throughout the series, Imelda delves into the archives of remarkable 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. Throughout this journey, she is guided by some of Ireland’s most accomplished female singers, along with local singers from the Gaeltacht regions who have carried these sean nós songs and traditions down through the generations. Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Ann Mulqueen, Caitlín Ní Chualáin and Maighréad and Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill each open their hearts to help Imelda 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.
"Making my new documentary series Amhráin na nGael was such a personal learning journey for me. I travelled the length of Irelands 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 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. I hope I reflected the often unspoken and sometimes complex relationship many of us have with our language and I hope you 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. I hope you love watching this series as much as I’ve enjoyed making it
Imelda May: Amhráin na nGael, beginning on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Friday 17 October at 8.30pm.
