Sean-Nós songs and lyrics
Sean-nós singing is a highly-ornamented style of solo singing in the Irish language, confined mainly to some areas in the west and south of the country. It is unaccompanied and has a highly ornamented melodic line. Not all areas have the same type of ornamentation–one finds a very florid line in Connacht, contrasting with a somewhat less decorated one in the south, and, by comparison, a stark simplicity in the northern songs. No aspect of Irish music can be fully understood without a deep appreciation of sean-nós singing. It is the key which opens every lock.
Sean-nós songs can be relatively simple, though many are long, extremely stylized and melodically complex. A good performance classically involves substantial ornament and rhythmic variations from verse to verse. Most ornamentation as melismatic ornamentation. This is when a note is replaced or emphasized by a group of adjoining notes, unlike intervallic ornamentation, in which additional notes are used to fill up an interval between two notes.
Decorative elements common in sean-nós singing include
- Highly ornamented where the voice is placed near the top of the range
- Nasalisation
- A second form of nasalisation, used in the south, produces an “m”, “n” or “ng” sound at the end of a phrase
- One syllable in a word can be sung to several notes
- Brief pauses initiated by glottal stops, “slides” or glissandi (predominantly when sung by women)
- Very long extended phrases
- A tendency to draw breath after a conjunction or linking words rather than at the end of a phrase
- The ending of some songs by speaking the finishing line instead of singing it
- Varying the melody in each verse
All these strategies serve an assortment of aesthetic purposes, such as
- Connects the text to the interpretation of the melody
- Enhancing a sense of continuity such as by filling the gap between phrases with a nasalized drone
A number of songs are modal, as opposed to major, in melody.
Distinguishing Social Features
“Songs were made to accompany the work inside and outside the home, to express the many emotions-love and sadness of daily existence, to record local and other historical events and to often mark the loss of family and friends whether by death or by emigration”.
The very interaction between the performer and audience is a crucial aspect of the sean-nós tradition.
- The singer may require cajoling—this may be considered as part of the recital
- The singer may occasionally adopt a position facing the corner of the room and away from the audience, a position that has acoustic benefits and perhaps some ancient significance.
- The audience is not expected to be silent throughout, and may participate in the performance through words of encouragement and commentary. Sometimes a member of the audience will even come and hold the performer’s hand in empathy with the song. Such interaction does not disturb the flow of music, and the performer will often respond to it musically.
The performance of most songs are not restricted by gender, although the lyrics may imply it is being sung from a woman’s or man’s point of view. On the other hand there are a few songs that men have a tendency not to sing. Women however do not seem to have the same hesitation.
Content of lyrics
Many of the songs typically sung sean-nós could be seen as forms of love poetry, laments, or references to historical events such as political rebellions or times of famine, lullabies, nature poetry, devotional songs, or combinations of these.
Comic songs are also part of the tradition (e.g., An Spailpin Fanach, Cunnla, Bean Pháidin), as are references to drink (An Bonnan Bui, Preab san Ol, Olaim Puins is Olaim Te).
Regional variation
There are four main styles of sean nós, corresponding to the three areas where Irish is still spoken as a community language, the Gaeltachtaí of west Munster (parts of Kerry, and Cork), east Munster (Waterford), Connacht (Connemara and Meath); and to Ulster. “It would not be correct to say sean nós is not practised outside these areas, but only those four distinct styles can be recognised. Singers from the Galltacht and indeed from outside Ireland may blend them, depending on where they learned”. These differences in style generally correspond geographically to the various dialects of Irish.
While Sean-nós singing varies around Ireland, with the influence of recording media and ease of travel these distinctions have become less definite since at least the early twentieth century and singers sometimes adopt different styles from various parts of the country.
Donegal style
The Donegal style has been heavily influenced by Scots Gaelic singing. It is a relatively unadorned and nasal style. The melody is sometimes less ornamented. As a result, to someone not familiar with Sean-nós, the Donegal style can stand out from other regional styles.
Connemara style
A more decorated style, with forms familiar to a traditional instrumentalist along with other more complex forms.
West Munster style
Also a highly ornamented style. The notes to be ornamented can be adjacent to each other like in Connemara, but at other times the gap between them can be wide.
East Munster style
The Waterford Gaeltacht of An Rinn also has a distinct style, despite the small size of its population, which can be heard in the singing of Nioclás Tóibín.
Language variation
The term “sean-nós” is popularly applied to songs in English and Irish. A number of sean-nós songs are macaronic, combining two or more languages. Normally they combine Irish and English but occasionally Irish and French or other European languages, including Latin.
Many would agree that it is more the style of singing that is distinctive, and not the lyrics or the language. In spite of this some traditionalist insist that songs exclusively in the English language cannot be regarded as belonging to the tradition.
To the first-time listener, accustomed to popular and classical singers, sean-nós singing may sound more “Arabic” or “Indian” than “Western”. Film-maker Bob Quinn, in his Atlantean series of films, suggests a north African cultural connection.
History of sean-nós song and modern developments
The tradition of sean-nós song was exclusively oral, and remains customarily so. However a few songs were known to have been conveyed to script as early as the 16th century. A songbook for Elizabeth I contained English interpretations of sean-nós songs. Songs started to be more extensively written down in the eighteenth century and distributed in print from then on.
New composition is a controversial issue within sean-nós song circles. Some singers insist that the traditional should be supplemented with new material, arguing that since society has changed, then the content of the lyrics should reflect this. On the other hand, some singers say that only the older, “traditional” songs represent the essence of sean-nós song and therefore deserve a protected, preferential status.
Means of preserving Irish music and dance
Sean-nós song is a sean-nós activity, which also includes sean-nós dancing. These forms of Irish dance and song have been documented by scholars of ethnomusicology, musicology, linguistics and other fields, such as Hugh Shields, Tom Munnelly, Fintan Vallely, and Lillis Ó Laoire.
The practice of sean-nós dance, sean-nós song, lilting (also known as “mouth music”), and “the bones” (a simple percussion instrument convenient to carry in a pocket) exists for centuries. It might be interpreted as a minimalist means that helped preserve a musical and dance heritage at a time when musical instruments were too expensive for most peasants.
Other Celtic unaccompanied singing styles
In addition to the unaccompanied Irish traditional sean-nós singing, Irish lilting is usually performed without musical accompaniment. A similar tradition in Scotland is Puirt a beul (AKA Diddling) though there are various mouth music traditions around the world.
^closeTop 10 Sean-nós Songs
- Óró Sé do Bheatha ‘Bhaile Oh-ro You're Welcome Home
- Casadh an tSúgáin The Twisting Of The Rope
- Mo Ghile Mear My Gallant Darling
- An Poc ar Buile The Mad Puck Goat
- Beidh Aonach Amárach There's a fair tomorrow
- Bean Pháidín Páidín's Wife
- Trasna na dTonnta Across the Waves
- Báidín Fheilimí Feilimí's Little Boat
- Peigín Leitir Móir Peggy Lettermore
- Dúlamán Seaweed
A-Z Index
- A bhean úd thíos A woman in question below
- A Bhean Udaí Thall That Woman Yonder
- A Bhríde bheag chrón My Wee Dark Bridget
- A Chomaraigh aoibhinn ó A beautiful Comeragh from
- A ghadaí a ghoid mo phíopa A thief stole my pipe
- A Mháire Bhruinneall Fair Moya
- A Mhuirnín Óg My Young Sweetheart
- A Ógánaigh an Chúil Chraobhaigh Oh Young Man of the Flowing Hair
- A Phaidí a ghrá Paddy, my love
- A Phlúirín na mBan Donn Óg Oh flower of young brown-haired women
- A Rí an Domhnaigh A Sunday's
- A Sheáin Bháin A John White
- A Sheáin mhic Mhurchaidh A student John Cahermurphy
- A spailpín a rún A laborer secret
- Ag an phobal Dé Domhnaigh At community Sunday
- Ag Cuan Bhinn Éadair At Howth Harbour
- Ag goil fríd Bhaile an tSratha domh At Home Strabane appetites through me
- Ag siúl chois na trá domh also walking the beach
- Aililiú na gamhna Aililiú the calves
- Ainnir dheas na gciabhfholt donn Young Woman gciabhfholt south of brown
- Aird Tí Chuain Harbour House attention
- Aird Uí Chuain Ardicoan
- Aisling gheal Dream bright
- Amáireach lá ’le Pádraig Amáireach St. Patrick's Day
- Amárach Lá ‘le Pádraic St. Patrick's Day is Tomorrow
- Amhrán an bháinín Song bháinín
- Amhrán an bheet Song bheet
- Amhrán an chait Song cat
- Amhrán an leictreachais Song electricity
- Amhrán an Phoitín The Poteen Song
- Amhrán an phortaigh Song of the Bog
- Amhrán an phríosúin Song of the prison
- Amhrán an phúca Song phúca
- Amhrán an steamer Song steamer
- Amhrán an tae Song of the tea
- Amhrán an tobac Song tobacco
- Amhrán Bhaby Costello Song Bhaby Costello
- Amhrán Chamais Song Cove
- Amhrán Fhoirnise Song Fhoirnise
- Amhrán Johnny Geoghegan Song Johnny Geoghegan
- Amhrán Khildare Song Khildare
- Amhrán Leitir Calaidh Song Letterkenny Port
- Amhrán Mhaínse The Song of Muínis
- Amhrán Mháirtín Mhóir Martin Great Song
- Amhrán na heascainne Song eel
- Amhrán na leabhar Song of the book
- Amhrán na mbád Song of the boat
- Amhrán na mBiollaí Song mBiollaí
- Amhrán na mbolmán Song horse mackerel
- Amhrán na mianach Song of mine
- Amhrán na n-asal Song of the donkey
- Amhrán na n-iontas Song of surprise
- Amhrán na Páise Song of Passion
- Amhrán na scadán Song of herring
- Amhrán na Seoighigh Song Seoighigh
- Amhrán na sméar Song of berry
- Amhrán na speile Song of the Scythe
- Amhrán na Trá Báine Song of White Beach
- Amhrán Phádraic Dharach Song of Patrick Oak
- Amhrán Phead Bhuí Song Phead Yellow
- Amhrán Pheadair Bhreathnaigh Peter Walsh's Song
- Amhrán Pheait Sheáin Ainde Song Pheait John Ainde
- Amhrán Pheter Mhicil Báille counters Mhicil Bailiff
- Amhrán Rinn Mhaoile Song Renvyle
- Amhrán Shéamais Uí Chonchúir James O'Connor Song
- An Abhainn Mhór Blackwater
- An baitsiléir The Bachelor
- An Bás The Death
- An bhanaltra The nurse
- An bhfaca tú mo Shéamaisín Have you seen my Shéamaisín
- An bhó bhán The white cow
- An bhruinneall dheas The south bhruinneall
- An bhruinnillín bhéasach The polite bhruinnillín
- An bhuatais The boot
- An binsín luachra The Binsín rushes
- An bobaire The bobaire
- An Bonnán Buí The Yellow Bittern
- An Brianach Óg The Young Brianach
- An buachaill bán The white boy
- An buachaill caol ard The tall slender boy
- An buachaill deas óg The nice young boy
- An buachaillín bán The white boy
- An Buachaillín Múinte The Well-mannered Boy
- An buachaillín spéiriúil The cheerful boy
- An Cailín Aerach The Frolicsome Girl
- An Cailín Álainn The Lovely Girl
- An cailín deas rua The pretty girl red
- An cailín fearúil fionn The manly blond girl
- An Cailín Gaelach The Irish Girl
- An Cailín Rua The Red-haired Girl
- An Caiptín Ó Máille The Captain O'Malley
- An Caiptín Seán The Captain John
- An Caisideach Bán The Fair-haired Cassidy
- An carabhat The tie
- An carraigín The carrageen
- An chaora ghlas The green grapes
- An chéad Mháirt d’fhómhar The first Tuesday in autumn
- An Ciarraíoch mallaithe The Cursed Kerryman
- An Clár Bog Déil The Board of Bog-Oak
- An crúiscín lán The full jug
- An Déirc The Giving
- An deoraí The exile
- An dílleachtaí fáin The stray orphans
- An draighneán donn Blackthorn
- An fáinne The ring
- An Faoitín The Whiting
- An fear ceoil The music man
- An fhaoileann The beauty,
- An Fial-Athair Dónall The Fial Father Daniel
- An frag The Frag
- An gabha ceártan The blacksmith ceártan
- An gamhain geal bán The bright white calf
- An gamhnaichín The gamhnaichín
- An Geata Mór The Great Gate
- An gheadach dá crú sa ghleann The gheadach both milked the valley
- An ghiobóg The ghiobóg
- An gleann i bhfad siar The valley far back
- An goirtín eornan Gurteen barley
- An Gréasaí The Shoemaker
- An hide-and-go-seek The hide-and-go-seek on
- An Lacha Bhacach The Lame Duck
- An Mhaighdean Mhara The Mermaid
- An Mhaighdean Mhara The Mermaid
- An Páistín Fionn The Little Fair Child
- An páistín fionn The blond grandchild
- An Poc ar Buile The Mad Puck Goat
- An Pósadh a bhí i gCána The Marriage at Cana
- An Raibh Tú ar an gCarraig Were you on the rock?
- An Raicín Álainn The Beautiful Comb
- An Rógaire Dubh The rogue black & amp; The white Ceannabháin & amp; Paddy O'Rafferty
- An sagairtín The Sagairtín
- An Sagart Ó Domhnaill The Priest O'Donnell
- An saighdiúir tréigthe The soldier deserted
- An Saturday The Saturday
- An sceilpín draighneach The Drinagh sceilpín
- An scian The knife
- An seanduine cam The crooked old man
- An seanduine dóite The old man burned
- An snáithín céireach The fiber wax
- An Spailpín Fánach The Wandering Labour Man
- An spailpín fánach The casual laborer
- An Spealadóir The Scytheman
- An t-amhrán bréagach The Song of Lies
- An t-iolrach mór The large multiple
- An t-Oileán Úr The New World
- An táilliúir drúisiúil The tailor drúisiúil
- An tOileán Úr The New World
- An tOileán Úr New Island
- An tSailchuach The Violet
- An tseanbhean bhocht The poor old woman
- An tseanbhean liath The old woman gray
- An tsióg mhallaithe The fairy react
- An uair sin bhí an féar fada in Árainn The time that the grass was long in Aran
- Anach Cuan
- Aonach Bhearna na Gaoithe Fair Wind Gap
- Ar a ghabháil ’na chuain domh On to capture 'the harbor beach
- Ar a ghabháil go Baile Átha Cliath domh On the capture Dublin me
- Ar Éirinn Ní Neosfainn Cé Hí For Ireland I'd Not Tell Her Name
- Ar maidin Dé Máirt On Tuesday morning
- Árainn i bhfad i gcéin Aran distant
- Aréir is mé ag machnamh Last night as I think
- Asal Mháinse Maínis Ass
- Asal Pheadair Uí Laidhe Peter O Laidhe Ass
- Bá an cheathrair Bay of the four
- Báb na gcraobh BAB of the branches
- Bacach mise ar aon chois I Beggar any suppression
- Bádaí na scadán Boats herring
- Bádóirín Thír an Fhia Bádóirín Fhia
- Báidín Fheilimí Feilimí's Little Boat
- Baile an Róba Ballinrobe
- Baile Bhuirne Ballyvourney
- Baile deas Ghaoth Sáile Home nice GaothSáile
- Bainis Jimín Joe Wedding Jimín Joe
- Bainne an ghabhair bháin Milk the white goat
- Barr an tSléibhe Barratleva
- Beairtlín an gadaí The Thief Beairtlín
- Béal Átha hAmhnais Ballyhaunis
- Béal Átha na hAbhann Ballinasloe River
- Bean an fhir rua The men red bean
- Bean an leanna Bean lyrics
- Bean an tseanduine Woman fellow
- Bean Dubh an Ghleanna Dark Woman of the Glen
- Bean Pháidín Páidín's Wife
- Bean Pháidín Mrs. Fadden
- Bean sléibhe ag caoineadh a mic mountain woman crying son
- Beauty deas an Oileáin Beauty pretty Island
- Beidh Aonach Amárach There's a Fair Tomorrow
- Beidh Aonach Amárach There's a Fair Tomorrow
- Beir beannacht ó Rí na hAoine Bring blessing from King Friday
- Beir mo dhúthracht Bring my commitment
- Beití Sailí Deain Bethany Willow by the Standards
- Bímse Féin ag Iascaireacht I Myself Go Fishing
- Bó na leathadhairce The leathadhairce Cow
- Bóithríní an Locháin Lanes Pond
- Bríd Bhán Brigid White
- Bríd Ní Ghaora Brigid Ghaora
- Bríd Óg Ní Mháille Bridget O'Malley
- Bríd Thomáis Mhurcha Bridget Thomas praise
- Bríde Ní Scannláin Bride Scannlan not
- Brídín Brídín
- Brídín Bhéasaí Brídín mannered
- Bruach na Cara Léith’ Friend Suburb Grey
- Bruach na Carraige Báine Bank Whiterock
- Bruach na Carraige Báine Brink Of The White Rock
- Buachaill ón Éirne Boy from the Erne
- Cad é sin don té sin What is the caller
- Caide Sin Don Té Sin? What's It To Anyone?
- Cailín an tsléibhe ruaidh The red mountains Girl
- Cailín deas crúite na mbó Pretty girl milking cows
- Cailín na n-urla donn Girl of Urla brown
- Cailleach an airgid The silver Witch
- Cailleach An Airgid The Hag with the Money
- Cailleach na Scríbe Destination Witch
- Caisleán an tsléibhe mountain Castle
- Caisleán Uí Néill O'Neill Castle
- Caisleán Uí Néill O'Neill's Castle
- Cáit Ní Dhuibhir Kate Dwyer
- Caitlín Triall Kathleen Triall
- Caoineadh na dtrí Muire The three Mary's Lament
- Caoineadh Thomáis Uí Dhálaigh Lament Thomas Daly
- Caoirigh na Japs The Japs Sheep
- Carraig Aonair Fastnet
- Casadh an tSúgáin The Twisting Of The Rope
- Casadh an tSúgáin The Twisting Of The Rope
- Casadh An tSúgáin The Twisting Of The Rope
- Casam araon na géanna romhainn both the geese coming Casam
- Cath Chéim an Fhia Deer Battle Stage
- Cathair na Léige League City
- Céad slán le bliain an taca seo Farewell to the support this year
- Ceaite an chúil chraobhaigh The rear Ceaite leafy
- Cearc agus coileach hen and cock
- Ceárta Mhicil de hÓra Forge Mhicil of Hora
- Ceo draíochta Fog magic
- Cianach corrach Cianach unstable
- Cibé fear in Éirinn Whatever man in Ireland
- Cití Na gCumann Kitty, My Love
- Cití Ní Eadhra Kitty O'Hara
- Cnoc Leitir Móir Hill Lettermore
- Coinleach glas an fhómhair green autumn stubble
- Cois Abha Móire na nDéise Coshmore Waterford
- Cois Abhann na Séad Riverside Baltimore
- Condae Mhaigh Eo County Mayo
- Crann úll Apple Tree
- Críocha an Oileáin Úir Fresh Island Territories
- Cruach Dhomhnaill Uí Ríordáin Domhnall Ó Ríordáin Steel
- Cuaichín Ghleann Néifinn Cuckoo Nephin Valley
- Cúirt an tSrutháin Bhuí Brookview Court Parade
- Cúirt Bhaile Nua Newtown Court
- Cúirt mhallaithe Dhoire an Fhéich Debt Court Derry react
- Cuisle mo chroí My heart pulse
- Cúl na Binn Rear of Binn
- Cúl na Cruaiche Tom Reek
- Cumha an Fhile Loneliness of the Poet
- Cúnla Cúnla (Given Name)
- Cúnnla Cúnnla
- Dán an bháis The death poem
- Digeas ó deabhas Digeas from deabhas
- Dóín dú Doin wherein
- Domhnall Ó Maoláine Domhnall Ó Maoláine
- Dónal Agus Mórag Dónal And Mórag
- Dónall Óg Donald Young
- Donncha Bán Denis White
- Dúlamán (type of seaweed)
- Dún do Shúil Close Your Eyes
- Éamonn an chnoic Ned of the Hill
- Éamonn Mhágáine Edward Mhágáine
- Eanach Cuain Annaghdown
- Eascann Bhaile na hInse Ballynahinch Eel
- Eibhlín Ní Fhlaithearta Helen Fhlaithearta
- Eileanóir na rún The secret Eileanóir
- Éirigh Suas A Stóirín Rise Up, My Darling
- Éistidh seal liom I turn Éistidh
- Eleanór, a rún My Darling Eleanór
- Eochaill Youghal
- Eoghainín Ó Ragadáin (Irish name)
- Eoghan Cóir Eoghan Fair
- Frainc ’ac Conaola Frank 'ac Conaola
- Geaftaí Bhaile Buí Geaftaí Ballyboy
- Hó-bha-ín
- Idir Aird Mhór is Eochaill Between the Youghal Ardmore
- Imeacht na mbád Event boat
- Iníon A’ Bhaoghailligh Daughter of the Baoghall
- Iníon An Fhaoit’ ón nGleann White’s Daughter of the Glen
- Inis barr an chuain top Tell the harbor
- Inis Dhún Rámha Dún Rámha Island
- Is buachaill deas óg mé I'm a nice young boy
- Is deas an buachaill fóinteach mé A nice boy I usefully
- Is fada ó bhaile is far from home
- Is measa liom Bródach I Bródach Worst
- Is óra a mhíle grá Oops is a sweetheart
- Is trua nach bhfuil mé i Sasain is unfortunate that I have in England
- Is trua nach bhfuil mé in Éirinn I do not have regrets in Ireland
- Is Trua Nach Bhfuil Mé in Éirinn It's a pity I'm not in Ireland
- Jimmy mo mhíle stór Jimmy, My Darling Sweet
- Johnny Seoighe Johnny Joyce
- Lá dá rabhas ar fuaidreamh One day I was suspended
- Lá fhéile Cáilín Day festival Girl
- Lá fhéile Pádraig St. Patrick's Day
- Landlady na páirte Landlady of the part
- Liam an chapaill bháin Liam white horse
- Liam Ó Raghallaigh Liam O'Reilly
- Línseach Bhearna Línseach Gap
- Líontar dúinn an crúiscín we filled the jug
- Loch na Ní Lake not
- Loingis óir Shipping gold
- Maidin álainn ghréine beautiful morning sun
- Maidin bhog álainn Morning beautiful soft
- Maidin fhómhair autumn morning
- Maidin i mBéarra Morning in Beara
- Maidin Luain Chincíse Monday morning Chincíse
- Mailí mhómhar Mali mhómhar
- Mailsín Chnoc an Easa Thoir Easa Mailsín Hill East
- Mainistir na Búille Boyle
- Mainistir na Búille Town of Boyle
- Máire Bhruinneall Fair Moya
- Máire Chonnacht Mary Connaught
- Máire Inis Toirc Mary Inisturk
- Máire mhaiseach Mary Ornamental
- Máire Mhór Mary Grand
- Máire Ní Eidhin Mary Hynes
- Máire Ní Ghríofa Mary Griffith
- Máire Ní Mhongáin Marie Mongan
- Máire Ní Taidhg Óig Mary Tadhg Young
- Máire Rua Mary Red
- Máirín de Barra Maureen Barry
- Máirín Staunton Maureen Staunton
- Mal Bhán Ní Chuileannáin Mal White Hollywood not
- Malaí Bhán Bags White
- Malaí Ní Mhaoileoin Bags Malone
- Mallaí Chroch Shlí Slopes of Croch Shlí
- Mar mheath uaim As I decline
- Méilte Cheann Dubhrann Grinders Head Dubhrann
- Meiriocá Meiriocá
- Mná bána Bhaile Locha Riach Loughrea white women
- Mná spéiriúil Ros an Mhíl Women cheerful Rossaveel
- Mo chairde gaoil gur thréig mé My friends relationship that I quit
- Mo Cheallachín fionn My Cheallachín blond
- Mo Cheallachín Fionn My Fair-haired Callaghan
- Mo Ghile Mear My Gallant Darling
- Mo Ghile Mear My Gallant Darling
- Mo ghille mear My fast ghille
- Mo mhadadh beag My little dog
- Mo shlán beo soir My live east secure
- Mo thigh beag aerach My little thigh gay
- Móirín na hEaglaise Móirín Church
- Moll Dubh A’ Ghleanna Dark Beauty of the Glen
- Molly na gCuach Ní Chuilleanáin Molly Cullinane of the Ringlets
- Molly Na gCuach Ní Chuilleanáin Curly Molly Cullinane
- Mullaigh Chroithlí Crolly Summit
- Murchadh Ó Maoláin Murchadh Mullen
- Na bearta crua The hard measures
- Na Connerys The Connerys
- Na gleannta The valleys
- Na prátaí dubha The black potato
- Na tincéirí The knackers
- Nansaí Bhán Nic Giobarlaí Nic White Nansaí Giobarlaí
- Neainsín Bhán Neainsín White
- Neansaí Walsh Nancy Walsh
- Neilí an bhrollaigh ghil Neilí the bright breast
- Neilí Bhán Neilí White
- Ní fheicfear níos mó thú a mhuirnín not seen you darling more
- Níl ’na lá There 'the day
- Níl mé ar an mbaile seo I'm not the village
- Níon an Bhaoilligh The Bhaoilligh daughter
- Nóirín mo mhian My desire Noreen
- Nóra an chúil úmair Nora the rear tanks
- Nóra Bhán Nora White
- Nóra Ní Chonchúir Bháin Nora Connor White
- Nuair a bhí mise óg When I was young
- Ó Cad é Sin do’n Té Sin Oh, what does anyone care?
- Ó Dheara, ‘Sheanduine O Yerra, Old Man
- Ócam an phríosúin Ócam prison
- Ócum an Phríosúin Prison Oakum
- Oileán Dhún an Óir Island Gold closed
- Oileán glas Árann na naomh Aran Island of saints green
- Oileán Inis Bearachain Tell Bearachain Island
- Óró Mo Bháidín Óró My Little Boat
- Óró Sé do Bheatha ‘Bhaile Oh-ro You're Welcome Home
- Péarla deas an chúil bháin The rear nice white Pearl
- Peigín Audley Peggy Audley
- Peigín is Peadar Peigín and Peadar
- Peigín Leitir Móir Peggy Lettermore
- Peigín Mistéal Peggy Mitchell
- Peigín’s Peadar Peigín and Peadair
- Pilib Séimh Ó Fathaigh Philip Mild Fahey
- Píopa Ainde Mhóir Great Ainde pipe
- Píopa Ainde Mhóir Big Andy’s pipe
- Pluid dhorcha Leára Leára dark blanket
- Plúirín na mban donn óg the brown young
- Preab san ól bounce in consumption
- Preab san Ól Another Round
- Príosún Chluain Meala Clonmel Prison
- Púcán Mhicil Pháidín Púcán Mhicil Pháidín
- Púcán Sheáin Antaine Púcán John Anthony
- Raca breá mo chinn Rack love of my head
- Raghadsa is mo Cheaití Raghadsa my inconvenience caused
- Ráiteachas na Tairngreacht Utterance of the prophesy
- Raithneach a bhean bheag Fern little woman
- Réidhcnoc Mná Duibhe Black Women Réidhcnoc
- Rinn Ó gCuanach Rinn
- Róisín Dubh Little Dark
- Róisín Dubh
- Ros an Mhíl cois cuain Rossaveel harbor
- Sa tseanghleann thiar ag Tadhg Ó Grianna In western tseanghleann by Thaddeus commission
- Sadhbh Ní Bhruinnealla Genève Bhruinnealla
- Sadhbh Ní Bhruinneallaigh Pron. Sive or Sow Nee Vrin-uh-lah
- Sagart na cúile báine Priest of fair hair
- Sail óg rua haired young Sail
- Sailor Sailor
- Sambó éara Sambo finger
- Sé fáth mo bhuartha It is why my concern
- Seachrán Chairn tSiail Cairn tSiail Lost
- Seachrán Chearbhaill Lost O'Carroll
- Seacht ndólás na Maighdine Seven sorrows of the Virgin
- Séamas Mac Murchaidh James Murrough
- Séamas na staile James the stallion
- Seán Ó Dí John Drink
- Seanamhrán na Trá Báine Seanamhrán the White Beach
- Seicín an dole the dole membranes
- Séimí Eoghainín Dhuibh Séimí Eoghainín Black
- Seoithín Seó Hushaby, Hush
- Seoladh na ngamhna Launch of calves
- Sí Do Mhaimeo Í She Is Your Granny
- Sí Do Mhaimeo Í She Is Your Granny
- Sí Do Mhaimeo Í She Is Your Granny
- Sicíní Bhríd Éamoinn Chickens Éamoinn Bride
- Siún Ní Dhuibhir Susan O'Dwyer
- Sláinte na n-éanach Health fen
- Slán agus beannacht le buaireamh an tsaoil Goodbye and goodbye with sorrow of life
- Slán Le Máigh Farewell to the Maigue
- Slán leis an Dún Aengus Goodbye to the Dun Aengus
- Sliabh Geal gCua na Féile Mount bright gCua festival
- Sliabh Liag Stone Mountain
- Sliabh na mBan Slievenamon
- Tá Mé ‘Mo Shuí I Am Awake
- Tá na Páipéir Dá Saighneáil The Papers Have Been Signed
- Táilliúir an mhagaidh The joking Taylor
- Táim sínte ar do thuama I'm stretched to the tomb
- Táimse ar an mbaile seo I am in the village
- Teampall na naomh Church of saints
- Téir Abhaile Riú Go home with them
- Thiar i gConnachta West Connaught
- Thiar i mBaile Uí Dhomhnaill O'Donnell West Town
- Thíos I dTeach An Tórraimh Down in the Funeral Home
- Thíos I dTeach An Tórraimh Down in the Funeral Home
- Thíos i lár an ghleanna Down in the middle of the valley
- Thug Mé Rúide I Made A Dash
- Tiocfaidh An Samhradh Summer will Come
- Tiocfaidh An Samhradh Summer Will Come
- Tiocfaidh An Samhradh Summer Will Come
- Tógfaidh mé mo sheolta I'll take my sail
- Tomás Bán Mac Aogáin Thomas White Aiken
- Tomás Ó Fathaigh Thomas Fahey
- Tórramh an bhairille Funeral barrel
- Trasna na dTonnta Across the Waves
- Tráthnóinín ó Dé Domhnaigh Tráthnóinín from Sunday
- Tráthnóna Domhnaigh Sunday afternoon
- Trucail Pheige Bhreátha Truck Pheige fine
- Tuireamh Mhic Fínín Duibh Mac Fenian Tuireamh Bay
- Tuirse Mo Chroí Tired To My Heart
- Uaigneas na Rinne The Loneliness of Rinn
- Uaisle Acla Gentlemen Achill
- Úna Bhán Fair Úna
- Úna dheas Ní Nia south Una Nia not
- Úna Ní Chonchubhair Bháin Agnes White Chonchubhair
- Upsaí rá na nGearaltach Upsaí said Geraldine
- Úr-chill an Chreagáin New cell Creggan
- Úrchnoc Chéin Mhic Cáinte Úrchnoc Cian Mac Cáinte
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