Lí Ban

Lí Ban
‘Rud Nach Léir’

Remembering old and creating new aspects of traditions from Lough Neagh and the Bann in the ancient province of Ulster in Ireland. Ríoghnach Connolly collaborates with family; aunts, uncles and cousins coming together to make this unique album. The name Lí Ban is the spirit of the lough itself, gone but not forgotten – An Bhanna, the Goddess. Lí Ban – ‘most radiant of women’ was the legendary mermaid of Lough Neagh.

Recovering songs and airs from the shores of Lough Neagh where previous generations fished the waters, built boats and composed songs that took their place in a once vibrant tradition. This mix of older airs, some found hidden in the harp music collections of Edward Bunting, some newly composed, we have named ‘Rud Nach Léir’ – that which is not apparent.

Lí Ban
‘Rud Nach Léir’

Baicle de cheoltóirí ag cuimhneamh ar sheanthraidisiúin agus ag cruthú gnéithe nua do na traidisiúin sin a thóg siad fá Loch nEathach agus fá bhruacha Abhainn na Banna i seanChúige Uladh. Comhshaothar idir Ríoghnach Connolly agus baill da teaghlach; aintíní, uncailí agus col ceathracha ag teacht le chéile chun an t-albam uathúil seo a dhéanamh. Is í Lí Ban spiorad an locha féin, imithe ón saol seo ach gan í ligthe i ndearmad – An Bhanna, An Bhandia. Chaith Lí Ban iníon Rí Eochaidh na céadtaí bliain ina maighdean mhara i Loch nEathach sular saolaíodh arís í agus is mar sin do chuid mhaith den cheol atá ar an albam seo.

Amhráin agus foinn ó chladach Loch nEathach áit a raibh na glúnta roimhe seo ag iascaireacht ar na toinn, ag déanamh bád agus ag cumadh amhráin a ghlac a n-áit i dtraidisiún a bhí tráth bríomhar. Tugann muid ‘Rud Nach Léir’ ar an mheascán seo d’amhráin, foinn agus poirt, cuid acu sean agus cuid acu nua-chumtha, ach a mórchhuid gan chloisteáil le hachar ama atá ró-fhada ar fad.

Photo credit: Claire Loughran