Following on from the stunningly atmospheric “Airde Cuan”, Irish traditional artist Fiona Tyndall returns with another beautiful track, “An Mhaighdean Mhara”, taken from her upcoming Irish-language album Éinín an Cheóil. Once again, Tyndall invites us into a deeply emotive world, where myth, melody and memory swirl together like sea mist rising off the Atlantic.
Rooted in Irish folklore and beautifully interpreted through Tyndall’s rich vocals, “An Mhaighdean Mhara” tells the story of a mermaid taken from the sea, raising children on land before ultimately returning to the waves. Collected by Séamus Ennis and passed down through generations, the song is a cherished part of the Irish canon, and Tyndall’s version does it full justice. Her vocals are tender and full of longing, gliding over each lyric with grace and subtlety. Even for listeners without fluent Irish, the emotional weight of the language shines through, it’s a stunning reminder of how inherently musical the Irish language is.
Joining her on the track are some of the finest musicians in the traditional music scene: Fergal Scahill brings a spirited conversation to the arrangement with fiddle, mandolin and bodhrán; Brendan Hayes crafts a lush and modern yet grounded soundscape; while Seán Whelan’s guitar work adds delicate depth.
There’s a real sense of care in every layer of the arrangement, each instrument has space to breathe, weaving gently around the vocals rather than overtaking them. This balance allows the story and emotion of the song to remain front and centre, while also showcasing the calibre of musicianship behind the production.
With each release from Éinín an Cheóil, Fiona Tyndall continues to prove herself not just as a guardian of Irish song, but as an artist unafraid to interpret those songs in her own voice. If “An Mhaighdean Mhara” is anything to go by, the full album will be a must-listen for fans of traditional music and beyond.
This is a spellbinding take on an Irish classic that captures the magic and melancholy of our traditions, all brought to life by one of the genre’s most stunning voices.
“An Mhaighdean Mhara” gets a very well deserved 8.5 out of 10
Reviewer – Alan Robinson @alan_robinson_photography
Photo credit – Brendan Burke