Is i ndilchuimhne mo Ghranny, Mary Ellen an ríl seo. Mhair sí béal dorais agus théinn sall chuichi na haon lá tar éis scoile chun package taytos (agus crunchie foth-uair) a ithe agus néal codlata a dhéanamh ar an sófa agus í ag faire ar Dallas ar an dteilifís.
This reel was composed in loving memory of my Granny, Mary Ellen. She and my grandfather lived next door to us as I was growing up and I used to go over to her everyday after school to eat taytos and the odd crunchie and have a nap on the couch while she watched Dallas on the television.
Chumas an port seo i mí Iúil 2019 dom cholceathair, Gavin Ralston. Chuireas chuige é agus bhí sé ana shásta leis ach go raibh moladh amháin aige – go gcuirfinn páirt eile leis a bheadh níos ‘doirchí’ agus go mbeadh blaise don ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll’ ann. Cailleadh Gavin i mí Meán Fómhair 2019. Tamall ina dhiaidh sin a cumadh an tríú pháirt agus mar sin níor chuala Gavin an port ina iomláine. B’fhéidir nach bhfuil sé chomh “Rock ‘n’ Roll” san ach tá súil agam go léiríonn sé an pearsantacht chroíúil, chneasta, lán do spraoi a bhí i nGavin.
Beannacht Dé lena anam uasal x
I first wrote this tune in July 2019 for my cousin, Gavin Ralston, and it originally had only two parts. I sent it to Gavin and he said it was a lovely tune but he felt it needed a third part and for it to sound a bit darker, to make it more “Rock ’n’ Roll”. Gavin sadly passed away in September 2019 after a long battle with cancer.
The third part of the tune wasn’t written until much later so Gavin didn’t hear the tune in its entirety. It may not be very “Rock ’n’ Roll” but I hope it captures the beautifully warm, fun and vivacious character that was Gavin.
Forever in our hearts x
This is a jig I named after the place in which my maternal grandparents lived in Dublin and we used to visit them often as I was growing up.
Amhrán a chumas chun ceisteanna a chur orainn fhéin mar mhuintir na hÉireann maidir le todhchaí ár dteanga agus ár gcuid féiniúlachta.
A song I wrote questioning ourselves as people of Ireland in terms of the future of our language and our identity.
One reason I gave this tune this name is because one of my favourite traditional songs to sing in Irish is “An Cailín Bán” which is a song that I learned from the singing of my father, Séamus Begley and we often sing it together and it reminds me of him.
I also named this tune for my lovely female Golden Retriever, Saimmí (pronounced Sammie).
Port a chumas dom thriúr dearthár, Breanndán, Eoin agus Níall.
A tune I wrote for my three brothers, Breanndán, Eoin and Níall
Chumas an válsa seo i rith an chéad ‘dhianghlasáil’ mar bhraitheas uaim mo mhuintir go mór. “Déanfaimid Waltz” adeirim féin agus Mam lena chéile nuair a bhíonn fonn orainn rince a dhéanamh go háirithe nuair a bhíonn Daid ag seimint.
I wrote this waltz during the (first) lockdown for my family as I missed them. “Déanfaimid Waltz” (Let’s Waltz) is what my Mam and I say to each other whenever a waltzing opportunity arises, especially when my Dad is playing.
Méabh Ní Bheaglaoich is a singer, songwriter and musician whose musical expression and stylings are deeply rooted within the Irish music, language and song tradition of her homeplace of Corca Dhuibhne, the Gaeltacht of West Kerry, Ireland.. A native Irish speaker, Méabh was born into the renowned musical family of the Begleys whose undeniable influence has helped in shaping her energetic instrumental playing, emotive and sensitive singing style as well as inspired her development of, and transition into her passion for composing and songwriting.
Méabh has enjoyed a full time career in traditional Irish music thus far and has performed both nationally and internationally in countries such as Japan, Taiwan, America, Canada, Russia and across Europe with groups such as acclaimed Irish band Téada, The Pure Irish Drops (The Women of Ireland- The Next Generation), Cuas, Catherine Young Dance, Irish Christmas in America and “Aisling? – An Ród Romhainn” directed by Darach Mac an Iomaire.
She has also performed and given workshops in accordion and song at various international festivals including the Brittany Winter School in France, the Minnesota Irish Music Weekend, the Timmy McCarthy set dancing festival in Tonder, Denmark, as well as at Féile Séamus Creagh in Newfoundland, to name but a few.
She is a member of the 9 piece group, The Síbín Orchestra and often performs alongside her father Séamus Begley. They were invited to perform in Áras an Uachtaráin for the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins as part of a special welcoming reception for the King and Queen of Holland in June 2019.
She has made many radio and television appearances including on RTÉ’s “ The Late Late Show”, BBC Alba’s “Port”, “Sruth na Maoile celebrating 25 years” and more recently on TG4’s “Fleadh 2020″ and “Slán le 2020” on New Year’s Eve.
