Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill
Encyclopedia
Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill (ˈmaiɾʲəd̪ˠ nʲiː ˈɣoːn̪ˠəlʲ; born 1955) is an Irish
traditional singer from Kells
, County Meath
. Known for her work with the short-lived, but very highly regarded Skara Brae and her collaborations with sister Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill
, as well as other traditional musicians. Most recently she has recorded and performed with the West Ocean String Quartet (WOSQ).
Maighread is also, along with her sister Tríona, Moya Brennan
, and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh
, part of a new Celtic supergroup T with the Maggies
, who have released a new CD as of October 2010.
. In the 1930s (Irish-speaking families were relocated to Meath as part of a government scheme to create a new Gaeltacht
area near Dublin
). Her father's family were native Irish
-speakers from Ranafast
, County Donegal
and Maighread was therefore brought up speaking the language, along with her sister Tríona
and brothers Éamonn, Mícheál
and Conall.
Maighread comes from one of Ireland's best-known musical families. Her father was a well-known song collector and songwriter and her aunt, Néillí Ní Dhomhnaill, was a collector of traditional songs.
(her brother), Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill
(her sister) and Derry
's Dáithí Sproule
. The only recording that the group made still remains a classic.
The songs on her solo albums are mostly sung in Irish. Mícheál and Triona accompanied her on the albums No Dowry, and on 'Idir an da Sholas'.
Her 1976 debut album was issued under the name Mairéad Ní Dhomhnaill, but since then she has changed the spelling of her first name to "Maighread". She has also previously used the spelling "Maighréad", but has since removed the accented e.
Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill is married to Cathal Goan, former Director-General
of Raidió Teilifís Éireann
.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
traditional singer from Kells
Kells, County Meath
Kells is a town in County Meath, Ireland. The town lies off the M3 motorway, from Navan and from Dublin. In recent years Kells has grown greatly with many Dublin commuters moving to the town....
, County Meath
County Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
. Known for her work with the short-lived, but very highly regarded Skara Brae and her collaborations with sister Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill
Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill
Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill is an Irish traditional singer, pianist, and composer, considered one of the most influential female vocalists in the history of Irish music. She is famed for her work with traditional Irish groups such as Skara Brae, The Bothy Band, Relativity, Touchstone, and Nightnoise.-...
, as well as other traditional musicians. Most recently she has recorded and performed with the West Ocean String Quartet (WOSQ).
Maighread is also, along with her sister Tríona, Moya Brennan
Moya Brennan
Moya Brennan, born Máire Ní Bhraonáin , also known as Máire Brennan , is an Irish folk singer, songwriter, harpist, and philanthropist who began performing professionally in 1970, when her family formed the band Clannad, and is now widely considered as the "First Lady of Celtic Music"...
, and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh
Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh
Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh is an Irish fiddler and the lead vocalist for the Irish traditional band Altan.-Biography:Ní Mhaonaigh grew up in Gweedore , County Donegal, on the northwest coast of Ireland....
, part of a new Celtic supergroup T with the Maggies
T with the Maggies
T with the Maggies are an Irish traditional supergroup from County Donegal, Ireland. The group first performed together at a tribute concert to folk singer and guitarist Mícheál Ó Domhnaill, older brother of Triona and Maighread, and released their debut album in October 2010.-Background:Band...
, who have released a new CD as of October 2010.
Background
Maighread was brought up in Kells, County MeathKells, County Meath
Kells is a town in County Meath, Ireland. The town lies off the M3 motorway, from Navan and from Dublin. In recent years Kells has grown greatly with many Dublin commuters moving to the town....
. In the 1930s (Irish-speaking families were relocated to Meath as part of a government scheme to create a new Gaeltacht
Gaeltacht
is the Irish language word meaning an Irish-speaking region. In Ireland, the Gaeltacht, or an Ghaeltacht, refers individually to any, or collectively to all, of the districts where the government recognises that the Irish language is the predominant language, that is, the vernacular spoken at home...
area near Dublin
Dublin City
Dublin City may refer to:*Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland*Dublin City F.C.*Dublin City , a constituency before 1801*Dublin City , a constituency between 1801 and 1885...
). Her father's family were native Irish
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
-speakers from Ranafast
Ranafast
Rann na Feirste is a village and townland in Na Rosa region of northwest County Donegal, Ireland....
, County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
and Maighread was therefore brought up speaking the language, along with her sister Tríona
Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill
Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill is an Irish traditional singer, pianist, and composer, considered one of the most influential female vocalists in the history of Irish music. She is famed for her work with traditional Irish groups such as Skara Brae, The Bothy Band, Relativity, Touchstone, and Nightnoise.-...
and brothers Éamonn, Mícheál
Mícheál Ó Domhnaill
Mícheál Ó Domhnaill was an Irish singer, guitarist, and composer, who was a major influence on Irish traditional music in the second half of the twentieth century...
and Conall.
Maighread comes from one of Ireland's best-known musical families. Her father was a well-known song collector and songwriter and her aunt, Néillí Ní Dhomhnaill, was a collector of traditional songs.
Musical career
Maighread first came to prominence as a member of the group Skara Brae. The other members of the group were Mícheál Ó DomhnaillMícheál Ó Domhnaill
Mícheál Ó Domhnaill was an Irish singer, guitarist, and composer, who was a major influence on Irish traditional music in the second half of the twentieth century...
(her brother), Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill
Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill
Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill is an Irish traditional singer, pianist, and composer, considered one of the most influential female vocalists in the history of Irish music. She is famed for her work with traditional Irish groups such as Skara Brae, The Bothy Band, Relativity, Touchstone, and Nightnoise.-...
(her sister) and Derry
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
's Dáithí Sproule
Dáithí Sproule
Dáithí Sproule is a guitarist and singer of traditional Irish music from Derry, Northern Ireland. His niece is the singer songwriter Claire Sproule.-Biography:...
. The only recording that the group made still remains a classic.
" They were the first traditional songs done to guitars - it was the first time the pop music thing was brought to the Irish language. It would be lovely if people knew where it all started. I pressurised Gael Linn to reissue the album. I was on a mission."
The songs on her solo albums are mostly sung in Irish. Mícheál and Triona accompanied her on the albums No Dowry, and on 'Idir an da Sholas'.
Her 1976 debut album was issued under the name Mairéad Ní Dhomhnaill, but since then she has changed the spelling of her first name to "Maighread". She has also previously used the spelling "Maighréad", but has since removed the accented e.
Personal life
Maighread studied nursing and raised a family, giving up music for a whileMaighréad was looking after her two children in Dublin, and working part-time on nights as a theatre nurse in Mount Carmel hospital in Dublin: "I loved theatre," she says, with passion.
Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill is married to Cathal Goan, former Director-General
Director-General of RTÉ
The Director-General of Raidió Teilifís Éireann is chief executive and editor in chief of RTÉ. The current Director-General is Noel Curran, and is the most senior person in the Public Service Broadcaster, Noel Curran replaced Cathal Goan in the role in February 2011.The RTÉ Board appoints the...
of Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
.
Discography
Solo albums- - Maighréad Ní DhomnaillMaighréad Ní Dhomhnaill (album)Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill is the début music album by Irish musician Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill . It was released in Ireland in 1976.-Track listing:#"Éirigh Suas A Stóirín"#"Máire An Chúil Óir Bhuí"...
(1976) - - Gan Dhá Phingin Spré (No Dowry)Gan Dhá Phingin Spré (No Dowry)Dhá Phingin Spré is the second music album by Irish musician Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill. It was released in both Ireland and contintenal Europe in 1991.-Track listing:#"Amhrán Pheadar Breathnach"#"A Mhaithrín Dhíleas"#"An Cáilín Gaelach"...
(1991) - - Idir an Dá SholasIdir an Dá SholasIdir an Dá Sholas is a music album by Irish musicians Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill and Dónal Lunny...
with Tríona Ní DhomhnaillTríona Ní DhomhnaillTríona Ní Dhomhnaill is an Irish traditional singer, pianist, and composer, considered one of the most influential female vocalists in the history of Irish music. She is famed for her work with traditional Irish groups such as Skara Brae, The Bothy Band, Relativity, Touchstone, and Nightnoise.-...
and Dónal LunnyDónal LunnyDónal Lunny is an Irish folk musician. Lunny has been at the forefront of the evolution of traditional Irish music for more than thirty-five years and has participated within the renaissance of traditional Irish music in that time period...
(1999) - - Ceol Cheann DubhrannCeol Cheann Dubhrann-Singers:* Máire Ní Bhraonáin* Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh* Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill* Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill* Gearóidín Breathnach* Dónall Mac Ruairí* Connie Mhary Mhicí Ó Gallchóir* Bernard Ó Duibheannaigh* Aodh Óg Ó Duibheannaigh* Aodh Mac Ruairí...
(Various artists, 2009) - - Ae Fond Kiss with the West Ocean String Quartet
- - T with the MaggiesT with the Maggies (album)-Release:The album was launched in Dublin on 29 October 2010 by actor Stephen Rea. Friends of the singers in attendance included musicians Luka Bloom, Neil Martin and Paul Brady and broadcaster Miriam O'Callaghan...
(2010) - - TBC - 2011