Oirialla is a musical project rooted in the Oriel region, focusing on songs and tunes from South Ulster that had rarely been recorded, and presenting them with care, clarity, and a strong sense of place.
Music from the Oriel Region
Oirialla grew from a desire to explore the musical heritage of the Oriel region, an area that spans parts of Louth, Armagh, Monaghan, and neighbouring counties. This is a landscape where song has always played a central role, carrying history, memory, and local experience.
Much of the repertoire associated with Oriel existed outside commercial recording. Songs and tunes were passed on through oral tradition, handwritten sources, and local memory. The aim of this project was to give space to that material, without reshaping it for effect or presentation.
The Musicians
The core ensemble brought together four musicians, each with a deep connection to traditional music. I was joined by Nuala Kennedy on flute and song, Martin Quinn on accordion, and Breton guitarist Gilles le Bigot .
Each voice in the group was distinct. The challenge was not to blend everything into one sound, but to allow each instrument and style to sit comfortably within the music. That balance shaped both the album and the live performances.
An Album Shaped by Place
The Oirialla album was released in early 2012. It presented a selection of songs and tunes that reflected the poetic and melodic character of the region. The songs in particular carry strong narrative weight, rooted in local language, landscape, and experience.
Musically, the album shows how Oriel music developed through contact with Scotland and wider Europe. Rhythms, melodic turns, and phrasing often echo those connections, while still retaining a clear regional identity.
South Ulster in Concert
Alongside the recording, Oirialla was presented as a concert programme focusing on the musical traditions of South Ulster. In performance, the relationship between song and instrumental music becomes especially clear.
Fiddle, accordion, flute, guitar, and voice are used with restraint. Arrangements leave space for the music to breathe, allowing listeners to hear the detail of phrasing and rhythm that defines this repertoire.
International Performances
Although rooted in a specific region, Oirialla travelled well beyond it. Performances included Celtic Colours in Nova Scotia, Canada, the St Pölten Baroque Festival in Austria, and the Rheingau Festival in Germany.
These settings offered attentive listening spaces, where regional music could be heard without distraction. The response confirmed that music shaped by place can speak clearly far from home.
Listen and Download
If you would like to hear the music from this project, the full album is available on my Bandcamp page as streaming and download in high quality formats.
You can also visit the official Oirialla site for further background and context: www.oiriallamusic.com .
A Personal Reflection
Working on Oirialla reinforced for me how much music still exists beyond recordings and stages. Regions like Oriel hold vast repertoires that deserve time, attention, and careful listening.
This project was about sharing that inheritance honestly. When music is treated with respect, it carries its own authority and meaning.