This day 126 years ago – 22 March 1895 – the body of Bridget Cleary was found in Tipperary, having been burned by her husband, Michael.
Michael Cleary claimed the women he had killed was not his wife, but a changeling left by fairies. He subsequently served 15 years in prison. pic.twitter.com/r3vA8AqzWb
— This Day in Irish History (@ThisDayIrish) March 22, 2021
Take him away with his fairies.
Cathal Coughlan – Owl In The Parlour
A hoot.
The ageless Corkonian contrarian Cathal Coughlan (top) crams a lot into this cryptic puzzle of a song from his new album Song Of Co-Aklan which is out this week on Dimple Discs.
Andy Golding worked his magic with the animation.
Nick says: Owl at the moon.
Thank Famke it’s Friday.
To get you through this wonderful spring weekend, how about another music competition?
With today being World Sleep Day, I want to know: What’s your favourite song whose lyrics reference sleep or sleeping?
Here’s mine.
Reply below to be in with a chance of winning a €20 voucher redeemable at any Currys PC World store.
The winner will be chosen by my AI alarm clock.
Please include video links if possible.
Lines close on Saturday at 11am.
Nick says: Good luck!
Last week’s winner here
The votes are in.
On Saint Patrick’s Day, with a patriotic €50 Golden Discs voucher on offer, I asked for your favourite Irish song (either as Gaeilge or in English) sung by any artist from Ireland or abroad.
You answered in your dozens.
But there could be only one winner.
Third Place:
Sometimes by My Bloody Valentine
Smith writes:
“From the 1991 album Loveless. Came to this album late and couldn’t believe it was an Irish band. Kevin Shields is a genius, essentially pioneered the shoegaze sub-genre.
“For me this song evokes so many feelings that change throughout. I get a mix of anxiety, sadness and utter bliss, due almost entirely to the music and arrangements. Turned up much later on the Lost in Translation (2003) soundtrack. Suited that movie perfectly & the band were introduced to a new generation. Timeless masterpiece.”
Runner-up:
Beautiful Affair by Stockton’s Wing
Clampers Outside writes:
‘Walking around, be part of the sound,
Forget all your downs.
Feel the air.
Beautiful affair’“An iconic, utterly timeless song not only of the trad-folk genre but of the whole catalogue of Irish music, I believe.
“Released in 1982, I was only 11, I remember the radio play it received, which was plenty. But it wasn’t until my early 20s did I appreciate the beauty of it.
“The lyrical poetry, particularly the chorus – my favourite lines are are above – opening the song with a gently sung chorus of male voices sans music accompaniment helps create a feeling of mysticism and magic.
“There is a near expectation of melancholy to the sound. The music comes in, layering a fullness to the seemless chorus and lead singer interplay. That expectation of melancholy tenderly lost now by a positivity in the lyrics that you can “feel (in) the air” around you. That mystic.
“But it’s not over there… another light hit confirming that upbeat feeling comes in on the delightful dancing sound of the tin whistle.
“By now, I’m usually smiling and feeling light on my feet, ready to take on another two hits of the beautiful chorus… and when it’s all over, hit ‘play’ again.
“Once is never enough, sure it’s pure magic.”
Winner:
The Foggy Dew by Sinéad O’Connor and The Chieftains
Niall writes:
“Practically anything sung by the national treasure that is Sinéad O’ Connor.
“I’ve never heard a voice as powerful as hers. The passion, energy and emotion she puts into singing is like nothing else I’ve heard.”
Nick says: Thanks all.
Previously: Win Nick’s Paddy’s Day Voucher
Irvin Muchnick writes:
Here in Berkeley, California, my 16-year-old daughter Lia Fu Hao is obsessed with streaming Asian dramas, both Chinese and Korean.
Today in the car the local radio station was playing the Cranberries’ “Dreams.” Lia whipped out her phone and played what I believe (though you’d have to check me on this) is a new Korean cover version from the show Lia is now watching.
It’s hard to match the dulcet tones of the greatly missed Dolores O’Riordan, but this comes close…
Jiggy – Global Céilí for UNICEF
Dave writes:
So we made this – 100 people from all over the Globe playing and dancing along to JIGGY.
It features the best of Bray (top) at the end!
Lisa Gerrard & Jules Maxwell – Noyalain (Burn)
The star of the county Down.
One of the greatest voices of this eon, Lisa Gerrard, has teamed up with the touring keyboard player from her band Dead Can Dance – Jules Maxwell from Bangor, County Down – as well as producer James Chapman of Maps to deliver a singular atmospheric soundscape.
The striking video comes courtesy of Polish arthouse film director Jacob Chelkowski.
Look out for the album Burn on the Atlantic Curve label in May.
Maxwell has also just released an instrumental album Nocturnes.
Nick says: Falling for a Dancer.
robbed the garda van with the garda still in it 🤣 pic.twitter.com/lmHBZVkDwG
— Gannon ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (@Gannon1981) March 18, 2021
Ah here.
Near the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin 8.
Anyone?
Main Street, Bagnelstown, county Carlow today (top) and at the turn of the 20th century (above)
Steve Bowbrick writes:
Look at this scene, from Bagenalstown maybe 120 years ago (above): Six donkeys, four horses, two bicycles, two coppers, one dog and at least 50 hats. From the brilliant National Library of Ireland Flickr account…
Clannad featuring Denise Chaila – In A Lifetime
Collaboration once again.
The stars of the county Donegal, Clannad, revisit their classic duet from 1985 with Bono’s part now sung by recent RTÉ Choice Prize winner Denise Chaila. And it’s every bit as good as you’d hoped it would be.
The picturesque video was shot in Dunlewey Church overlooking Poison Glen in the Gweedore area of Donegal.
Nick says: We came because we heard the harp.
