Baile Ghib, Meath, November 29, 2024—Irish singer-songwriter Lisa Murray releases her poignant new folk-pop single, uaigneach, on November 29th. The song, whose title translates to lonely in English, blends a ballad feel with gentle nods to traditional sean-nós singing, delivering a deeply emotional exploration of homesickness that will resonate powerfully with listeners—especially those who find themselves far from home as the festive season approaches.
Born and raised in the Gaeltacht of Baile Ghib, County Meath, Lisa has been immersed in the Irish language from early childhood. In uaigneach, she seamlessly weaves between Irish and English using elegant macaronic rhyme schemes, creating a tapestry of sound that speaks directly to the heart. The track’s sincere lyrics and sentimental melody capture the bittersweet ache of missing home, making it particularly resonant for the Irish diaspora and expats who are unable to return to Ireland for Christmas.
The title, uaigneach, translates to “lonely” in English, but as Lisa explains, it conveys much more:
“One of my favourite things about the Irish language is how many words lack direct translations. ‘Uaigneach’ evokes a deeper feeling than simple loneliness; it embodies loss, solitude, isolation, and emptiness. I’ve always admired the word’s power and the way it sounds.”
Lisa wrote uaigneach shortly after returning to London from a trip home to Ireland. Around 11 p.m., she sat down to write, and the song’s first verse and chorus came to her effortlessly. Working late into the night, she completed the demo by 2:30 a.m. She later refined the production and mix, collaborating with MPG Award-winning vocal producer Ramera Abraham to capture the song’s enchanting vocals.
The song captures the bittersweet nature of starting a new life abroad: hope and possibility shine through lyrics like, “when the city lights are out there gleaming, I know I’ve got something to believe in”. Yet, it also reflects the isolation many feel, as in, “but when I’m all alone and the going gets tough, ag deireadh an lae bím uaigneach”. This duality reflects on Ireland’s long history of emigration, making uaigneach especially relatable for those far from home.
To engage Irish communities worldwide, Lisa has launched the #uaigneachchallenge on TikTok and Instagram. She invites people to share their favourite clips from home using the song, creating a global tapestry of connection and nostalgia.
About Lisa Murray
Since her 2022 single i unfollowed u reached 3 million impacts on Irish radio—landing her on the Irish Shazam and Radio Breakers Charts—Lisa Murray has become a rising star in the Irish music scene. She has performed in celebrated Dublin venues and internationally in New York, London, and Valencia. Recently awarded funding from Help Musicians to work on her next record in January 2025, Lisa promises more music on the horizon.
uaigneach is available on all major streaming platforms as of today, November 29th, 2024.
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