‘Oíche Nollag’ (Christmas Eve) written by Máire Mhac an tSaoi (1922-2021), at the age of fifteen, is a poem that is always very close to my heart at this time of the year. I learned this song version from the beautiful singing of Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, recorded on ‘Geantraí na Nollag’ in 2003.
The following tune is a slip jig, fresh out of the oven, written for my beloved little niece, Éabha Nellie and her dancing baby feet.
I’m very grateful to feel the sense of peace conveyed in the words of ‘Oíche Nollag’ year after year and to know what a welcoming, warm home feels like. I’m also grateful that Éabha will experience her second Christmas in a similar atmosphere of love, warmth, and welcome. I know that this year, I’ll be thinking of all the babies and children who should experience the same feeling but instead, will be surrounded by heartbreak and the cruelty of war, unrest and genocide. As I long for peace each day, I’d like to dedicate this to them.’
Muireann Ní Shé is an uilleann piper, multi-instrumentalist and singer from County Cork.
Muireann has been immersed in Irish language, music and song since childhood. She attributes her main musical influences to local musicians as well as the old recordings of legendary musicians and singers who have gone before.
Muireann’s debut album, Éistigh Liomsa Sealad (2023), is a unique sound-world, where contemporary and traditional influences combine with the dominating sounds of the pipes and ethereal arrangements of sean-nós song. The album features an array of soulful collaborations with artists such as Aoife Blake, Macdara Ó Faoláin, Johnny McCarthy and Jake Kalilec.
Muireann has toured North America and Europe extensively with various groups and is in much demand in Ireland as a performer and tutor.
Oíche Nollag ’s Rince Éabha Nellie is available on bandcamp here and will be available on streaming platforms December 6th.
OÍCHE NOLLAG
Le Máire Mhac an tSaoi
Le coinnle na n-aingeal tá an spéir amuigh breactha,
Tá fiacail an tseaca sa ghaoith on gcnoc,
Adaigh an tine is téir chun an leapan,
Luífidh Mac Dé ins an tigh seo anocht.
Fágaig’ an doras ar leathadh ina coinne,
An mhaighdean a thiocfaidh is a naí ar a hucht,
Deonaigh scíth an bhóthair a ligint, a Mhuire,
Luíodh Mac Dé ins an tigh seo anocht.
Bhí soilse ar lasadh i dtigh sin na haiochta,
Cóiriú gan caoile, bia aguis deoch,
Do cheannaithe olla, do cheannaithe síoda,
Ach luífidh Mac Dé ins an tigh seo anocht.
© 2011, Máire Mhac an tSaoi
An Paróiste Míorúilteach/ The Miraculous Parish
Foilsithe ag: O’Brien Press / Cló Iar-Chonnacht, Dublin
LINKS
Website: www.muireannmusic.com
Bandcamp: https://muireann-nishe.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2KcwPLeRyAAu5YbYpKBFun?si=wylzN8t2RpmmYGUrmA2unA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muireann.nishe/
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/muireann-n%C3%AD-sh%C3%A9/1704019373