The Songs of Anna John Chiot

Amhráin Anna John Chiot

Pól Ó Seachnasaigh

Anna John Chiot was one of the Irish Folklore Commission’s most important sources of tales, poetry and lore from its foundation in 1935. However, it was her great memory for the old songs in Irish which really marked her out. Her repertoire consists of 128 songs, and includes long and short songs, together with verses and parts of other songs. This publication contains, for the first time, all of the songs recorded  from Anna John Chiot by the Commission, between the years 1935 and 1937, and from 1947 to 1948.

As part of this publication there are 21 songs which were recorded by six of the best sean-nós singers from Donegal. Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Anna Ní Mhaonaigh and Máire Ní Choilm together with Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde, Brian Ó Domhnaill and Lillis Ó Laoire. Each chose songs from the collection and put music to them from their own repertoires. These particular songs can be read and listened to at the same time.