Niamh Dunne of “Beoga” fame is releasing her first solo project of self penned songs on September 30th. Ahead of this, Niamh releases a second track from the album ‘Did You Ever Love Me?’ this coming Friday, September 23rd.
This is Niamh’s first solo project in ten years and her first ever album made up entirely of self penned songs. The album is in 2 halves; one based on story songs inspired by traditional Irish songs and the other half based on singer-songwriter style, introspective songs that look at lived experience, feminism, family, history and connection. Both halves are a reflection on her life as a musician, from her traditional roots with the Traveller family The Dunne’s right up to writing with contemporary acts like Foy Vance and Ed Sheeran in recent years. This album is a chance to lend her own voice, with all its contradictions and nuances, to the musical landscape.
‘Did You Ever Love Me?’ follows up Niamh’s successful single ‘The Raven, which was released in late Summer. The genesis of ‘Did You Ever Love Me?’ comes from the Goddess Boann. She has an affair with the Dagda , who impregnates her. To hide the pregnancy the Dagda casts a spell making “the sun stand still” so no one will know of her infidelity. Boann tried to hide her infidelity with the Dagda by washing herself in Nechtan’s Well, but when she approaches it, it overcomes her, and she drowns and becomes the Boyne.
The legend has so many parallels with how we treated women in this country for generations; make the earth stand still for 9 months, locked away in Laundries and Institutions, shamed and vilified. Even the almighty Goddesses are punished for not knowing their place, for not toeing the line.
After Beoga’s six albums, a shortlist for a Grammy and numerous international tours, Niamh is no stranger to reaching a wider international audience as a result of a chance encounter with Ed Sheeran, Foy Vance and Johnny McDaid. This led to the band co-writing Ed’s massive hit ‘Galway Girl’ and ‘Nancy Mulligan’ from his album Divide. They also performed as Ed Sheeran’s only special guest on his headlining Glastonbury 2017 performance and supported him on his record-breaking Irish stadium tour in 2018.
Niamh’s debut solo album ‘Tides’ is released on September 30th 2022
