“Nollaig’s exquisite, dignified performance was stunning in its sheer musical artistry, seducing some into quiet amazement and inducing others to insist on encore after encore… Strong and elegant on stage, her instrument appears almost to be an extension of her own body…”

The Irish Times

We’re delighted to announce the release of this world-renowned Irish fiddler’s long-awaited solo album. She’s toured in 21 countries and been a member of two of Ireland’s most influential bands, Planxty (with whom she recorded the 1987 Live in Dublin album) and Coolfin. She’s played and recorded with Enya, Van Morrison, Sinéad O’Connor, Nanci Griffith, Ricky Skaggs, Rod Stewart, Emmy Lou Harris, Steve Earle, Dónal Lunny, Mary Black, Carlos Nuñez, Andy Irvine, Moving Hearts, The Indigo Girls, Spandau Ballet, Elvis Costello, Christy Moore, Liam O’Flynn, Dan ar Braz, Sharon Shannon, Maura O’Connell, Paddy Keenan, Seán Keane and Máirtín O’Connor, and recorded two duo albums with husband Arty McGlynn.

She’s performed as a soloist with orchestras in Ireland, Germany and the USA in works commissioned from Shaun Davey, Dónal Lunny and Evan Chambers. Her own compositions have been recorded widely and used for TV and film. She’s been featured soloist in over 20 feature films, notably Dancing at Lughnasa and Waking Ned.

This new album, produced by Arty McGlynn, features the playing of Sharon Shannon and other star guests. It showcases her exceptional expressive gifts and is a unique mixture of powerhouse Irish dance-music, meltingly beautiful airs, exquisite songs and her own memorable compositions – all suffused with her trademark lyricism and virtuosity.

“When Oisin was an old, old man and when all the other Fianna were dead, he was asked by Saint Patrick what was the music that Finn and the Fianna loved best to hear. Remembering those days and the sunburnt companions who were long gone, he told the holy man that the best music was…

…the music of what happened”

(from the ancient Irish Fenian Cycle, as re-told by Marie Heaney in Over Nine Waves, Faber & Faber, 1994)

Scroll down for guests and tracklist details.

Click to read Nollaig’s biography.

Guests

Arty McGlynn (guitars); Sharon Shannon (accordeon); Mairéad Casey (fiddle); Rod McVey (keyboards); Liam Bradley (percussion)

Tracklist

Jota da Maia
Cití na gCumann (Kitty my Sweetheart)
Ye Clarges’ Lamentation (The Clergy’s Lamentation)
The Harp and Shamrock/The Silver Strand
A Bhúrcaigh Bhuí ó’n gCéim (de Búrca the Fair)
The Last Lord of Beara
The Beehive
A Spailpín a Riúin (Spalpeen Aroon)
Song of the Seven Streams
The Yellow Wattle/Twins on a Swin
Two Sisters’ Set (The Mountain Lark/The Banks of the Ilen/The Sally Rod)
The Bonnie Blue-Eyed Lassie
Music for a Found Harmonium