The annual release of the Ceol compilation album, featuring Irish language translations of songs by top artists, is a significant and popular event for this time of year. Not only do they help make the Irish language cool, a feat once thought of as beyond impossible, but they also challenge the musicians, in the process providing something fresh and invigorating for music fans who have taken the albums into their hearts and the charts.
Key tracks this year include the Oscar-winning The Swell Season’s ‘Falling Slowly’ (‘Grá Dom Laonadh’), Wallis Bird’s version of ‘Counting To Sleep’, styled ‘Grian Gheal Lonrach’, and Gemma Hayes’ sublime take on her ‘Ran For Miles’, now ‘Rith Mé Go Crich’. The Coronas turn up the heat with ‘Taibhse Nó Laochra’, while Kíla – no strangers leis an teanga – give it their customary loads with ‘Cabhraighi Léi’.
Nor is this an Irish-only project. One of the most revealing tracks is the beguiling Scottish singer-songwriter Eddi Reader’s remaking of her major Fairground Attraction hit ‘Perfect’, renamed ‘Foirfe’, conclusive proof that true self-expression knows no language barriers. Other noteworthy contributors include The Saw Doctors, Mick Flannery, The Devlins, Luan Parle and The Walls. Seacht déag píosaí de rock bruithneach agus ceol amuigh roimh Lá Le Phádraig. Or words to that effect.