From a recording of Máire Áine Nic Dhonnchadha on Céirníní ‘Cladagh’ / Cladagh Records. Translation by Seán MacMathghamhna. The following notes are by Seán Ó Baoill: ‘Come live with me and be my love’ A poet invites his lady to an earthly paradise where all is peace, sweetness and prosperity. This characteristic folk-theme, heare as ever, is worked out with more praise of the poet’s local scene than of the lady he invites to live with him. The tye is perhapes best exemplified in Ó Doirnín’s Úr-chnoic Chéin Mhic Cáinte but the song here is less sophisticated and all the more human for that. In Tacar Amhráin (M H MacGuill 1925) the poem is attributed to Séamus Mac Oscair from Beannchor, Iarros, Conndae Mhuigheo (Co Mayo). Séamus, who died in 1847, was the author of several other songs.”

In the videos are two recording by sean-nós singer Mairéad Ní Fhlatharta. Mairéad has a unique and distinctive singing voice, which remains faithful to her people, her native place and to Conamara in general – register, accent and regional variation as well as the impressive repertoire of songs she employs. Her singing first made its appearance on record on just one track (An Buachaillin Muinte) of the live CD of acts from the 1999 staging of Connemara’s annual Cumar arts-school, since which time she’s been studying for a masters degree in traditional music and competing in sean-nós competitions.