1 February 2023
There is a momentum behind St Brigid’s Day this year with the new Bank Holiday in her honour. But Brigid has long been an inspirational character and her name has been used in the titles of some compositions in the tradition.
Just last year Síle Denvir, Louise Mulcahy and Caitlín Nic Gabhann were invited by ITMA and the Department of Foreign Affairs to compose three new pieces in honour of our Matron Saint.
Síle Denvir composed the song Seo í isteach mo Bhrideog, Louise Mulcahy composed the jig Port Naomh Bhríd = St Brigid’s Jig and Caitlin Nic Gabhann composed a slip jig and a dance entitled St Brigid’s Day.
Videos and performances of all three pieces can be found on the accompanying blog.
Louise Mulcahy, Síle Denvir and Caitlín Nic Gabhann
John Kelly (1912-1989) was originally from West Clare. He played fiddle and concertina and was a central figure in traditional music in the twentieth century. He was also a composer and two of his compositions were named for St Brigid’s Day. Both tunes are available here as interactive scores and they can also be heard on John Kelly, Capel Street, the website created by John’s grandaughter Aoife Kelly to celebrate his musical legacy.
Interactive score — Recording of John Kelly playing the tune
Interactive score – Recording of John Kelly playing the tune
John Kelly / photograph by Fran O'Rourke
Last year, archiving intern Gwendoline Lemaitre discovered a composition in the ITMA Derek Bell Collection composed in 1970 by The Chieftains’ harper. The composition was inspired by the legend of St Brigid. According to the manuscript it was written for a performance in 1970 in Glencraig, [Holywood, Co. Down?]. The music is accompanied by a text which tells the story of the legend of St Brigid. The words are recited to the accompaniment of the Irish harp.
Come with me. I go to spread my mantle round the earth because the earth has dreamt of beauty…
We will take the Sword of Life with us,
And the Cauldron of Plenty, and the Spear of Victory, and the Stone of Destiny,
For we want to embue the earth with power, wisdom and beauty,
And the overflowing generosity of the heart.from The Legend of St Briget for Irish Harp by Derek Fleetwood Bell, 1970
In the collection there is a programme note to say that the piece was performed by Derek Bell on harp and Mary Mitchell, reciter.
Extract from music manuscript The Legend of St Bridget for solo Irish harp by Derek Fleetwood Bell, 1970
For more information on the ITMA Derek Bell Collection read Gwendoline Lemaitre’s blog here and Maynooth musicology student Orla Dillon’s blog here.
ITMA was delighted to take delivery of the Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin collection in December 2022. The collection contains manuscripts, ephemera (posters, flyers, programmes etc.), printed material, photographs, sound recordings, including reel-to-reel tapes and correspondence. The materials relate to Pádraigín’s life and work as a professional singer, researcher, song writer, author and composer.
Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin transferring her Collection to ITMA, December 2022
In January 2022 Pádraigín published a four-track EP, a song-cycle in honour of Brigid. The digital EP features three new compositions from Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin and a remastered version of ‘Gabhaim Molta Bríde’.
Brigid a new cycle of songs which celebrates the multiple gifts of the most illustrious and much loved goddess-saint in the Irish tradition.
Digital download includes four MP4 tracks and a PDF booklet with lyrics and notes and can be purchased here.
Brigid, EP recording from Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin
