The Songs of Anna John Chiot

Amhráin Anna John Chiot

Pól Ó Seachnasaigh

“As part of the National Folklore Collection, sean-nós singer Anna John Chiot from The Croaghs in Donegal was visited, firstly between 1935 and 1937 and then again in the late 40s. She had much to give to the collection by way of stories, riddles, poems and songs and it is the song words that are recorded here. In addition to the 100-plus songs printed in this exquisite book, there’s a CD of 21 of them sung by leading contemporary Irish singers, including Altan’s Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Máire Ní Choilm and Lillis O’Laoire, with a recording of Anna and her husband rounding it off. For those still high on the vapours of another extremely successful Fleadh Cheoil held in Mullingar, this book is a must. It’s an important book for anyone studying Irish music, the Irish language and culture, or with an interest in the Irish Folklore Collection. Besides that, the book itself is sumptuously produced and the CD being part of the package makes it a real treasure.” Anne Cunningham, Westmeath Examiner

"Amhráin Anna John Chiot – The Songs of Anna John Chiot is a book of 128 songs, collected in the 1930s and 40s from the repertoire of Anna Nic an Luain from Cruach Thiobraid in Na Cruacha (The Croaghs) mountains in County Donegal. Edited here by the well-known fiddle player Pól Ó Seachnasaigh ... Amhráin Anna John Chiot is a valuable resource for those interested in the song and music traditions of Donegal." Toner Quinn, Journal of Music