Oíche Chiúin (Silent Night)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odihck81MZA

Monster Monday: Fear Gorta

We all know about vampires and werewolves, or at least we think we do. The legends and myths that inspired these monsters are sometimes surprisingly different, but no less chilling. In this series of posts, Monster Monday, we'll investigate the monsters that have informed our modern notions, as well as some lesser known monsters. Today,...

Music Thursday: Enya “Silent Night” (“Oíche Chiúin”)

Because Monday is already taken. This column will feature music I listen to when I write, or maybe sometimes music I just like (and therefore think everyone else should, too). Merry Christmas, y'all. "Silent Night" was originally composed in Austria in 1818. The lyrics were originally in German, but it has been translated into over...

Music Thursday: Lisa Lambe “Dulaman”

Because Monday is already taken. This column will feature music I listen to when I write, or maybe sometimes music I just like (and therefore think everyone else should, too). This is another traditional Irish fold song, based on a sea shanty: And if you don't understand what she's saying, that's okay because I have...

Music Thursday: Celtic Woman “Mo Ghile Mear”

Because Monday is already taken. This column will feature music I listen to when I write, or maybe sometimes music I just like (and therefore think everyone else should, too). It's March! You know what that means. More Irish stuff! This is an nontraditional take on a traditional Irish song by Celtic Woman: Mo ghile...

Music Thursday: Mary Jane Lamond and Wendy MacIsaac “If You Were Mine”

Because Monday is already taken. This column will feature music I listen to when I write, or maybe sometimes music I just like (and therefore think everyone else should, too). More fiddle, with another healthy dose of Scottish Gaelic: Singer Mary Jane Lamond has dedicated herself to the cause of preserving the Scottish Gaelic language...

Music Thursday: Ashley MacIsaac featuring Mary Jane Lamond “Sleepy Maggie”

Because Monday is already taken. This column will feature music I listen to when I write, or maybe sometimes music I just like (and therefore think everyone else should, too). This is one of my favorite pieces of fiddle music. I love it because it shows how creative musicians can be by taking a traditional...

Monster Monday: Kelpie

We all know about vampires and werewolves, or at least we think we do. The legends and myths that inspired these monsters are sometimes surprisingly different, but no less chilling. In this series of posts, Monster Monday, we'll investigate the monsters that have informed our modern notions, as well as some lesser known monsters. Today,...

Music Thursday: Moya Brennan “Be Thou My Vision”

Because Monday is already taken. This column will feature music I listen to when I write, or maybe sometimes music I just like (and therefore think everyone else should, too). Ireland has an incredibly rich tradition of spiritual music. "Be Thou my Vision" is an old Irish hymn that dates back to the sixth century....

Irish Harp

In honor of St Patty's day coming up, an Irish Harp from BLAZONED: Throughout the Middle Ages, the harp was the most popular instrument in Ireland, and the Irish harp, or Cláirseach, has been a symbol of Ireland since the thirteenth century. Primarily, in Celtic society, the harp was used to accompany bardic poetry. Today,...