A new CD featuring the singing of Cáit Ní Mhuimhneachain (1918-1949), Gaortha Na Péice, Ballingeary, Co. Cork, was launched in July 2001 in Gougane Barra.
The CD features 13 songs by Cáit, two by her brother Aindrais and one by her brother Michael. This welcome addition to the area’s music library is the result of a joint effort by Cáit’s son, Fionnbarra Ó Tuama, Radio Na Gaeltachta, RTE and The Folklore Commission at UCD. Most of the material was recorded by the BBC, The Folklore Commission and Radio Éireann between 1940 and 1948.
As Cáit was growing up in the Gougane Barra/Ceim An Fhia area of West Cork the tradition of song and storytelling was particularly. All of Cáit’s family inherited their singing ability from their father, Seamus. It is estimated that her repertoire included several hundred song in both Irish and English.
Cáit won many awards both locally and nationally, especially at Oireachtas competitions. Joe Heany, the well-known Carna, Co. Galway singer, described her as "one of the best sean-nós singers I ever heard". This collection highlights her ability to "convey the meaning of the song with great clarity through her superb control of breathing and ornamentation.
Cáit had been invited to sing in Venice, Italy, in 1949 but died tragically at the age of 31 that same year.
The CD is available locally or from Macroom Book Shop, Macroom Co. Cork. Telephone –(026) 42888
Track Listing.
(from the sleeve notes)