Niamh Ní Charra

Donnelly's Arm

  1. The Copper Mines of Killarney / Covering Ground / Andy de Jarlis (Jigs) 5:01
  2. The Curlew Hills / Tripping to the Well / Two-Part Pour (Barndance / Polkas) 4:58
  3. Cad é Sin Don t’É Sin (Song) 3:34
  4. Donnelly’s Arm / Pretty Peggy / Julie Delaney’s (Reels) 4:42
  5. Flush of Success / The Worn Torn Petticoat / Tom Billy’s Favourite (Slides) 4:01
  6. Eanach Dhúin (Slow Air) 5:24
  7. Gone, Gonna Rise Again / Ar Scáth a Chéile (Song/ Slip Jig / Reel) 5:20
  8. Seanchnoc (Clan march) 3:43
  9. Waltz for Rosie / The (Old) Lark in the Morning / Cooper and Keegan’s (Waltz/Jig/Slip Jig) 4:53
  10. Ceol An Phíobaire (Song) 5:09
  11. Amaitzeko Soñua / As I Looked East and I Looked West/ The Glen Cottage / I will, yeah (Arin Arin / Polkas) 4:33
  12. The Exile of Erin / Richie Dwyer’s / Red-haired Catherine / Ril Du Forgeron (Reels) 5:14
Released December 05, 2020
Two hundred years ago the boxing pioneer from Dublin’s docklands, Dan Donnelly died. Discovered by piper and aristocrat Sir William Kelly, he famously beat three English prize-fighters of the time and was proclaimed Ireland’s champion. This colourful character subsequently became a proprietor of several bars in Dublin, garnered a reputation for gambling, womanising and drinking and in 1820 passed away at the young age of 31. 
 
Shortly after his burial in Bully’s Acre his body was snatched by grave-robbers on order. Donnelly’s admirers tracked the body down to a surgeon and it was returned for burial - minus his right arm! Legend has it that Donnelly’s arms were unusually long and the surgeon successful negotiated to keep one for medical research. It eventually made it back across the Irish sea where it was displayed firstly in a pub in Belfast before finally returning to Kildare, the scene of his first successful fight. 
 
Dan Donnelly is one of several people and events commemorated in this latest album which was influenced by Niamh’s upbringing in the musically rich area of Sliabh Luachra in Kerry, her time spent in Dublin, her travels playing music internationally, and her work as a professional archivist.
 
Alongside regulars Kevin Corbett and Dom Keogh, guest musicians Kate Ellis, Órlaith McAuliffe, Claire Sherry and Mikie Smyth also join.
 
Reviews:
No. 1 Trad Album 2021 – Alex Monaghan (FolkWorld)

“This album is a pleasure from start to finish – great tunes and great playing; full of life, emotion and that extra little something that makes the music sparkle. “
The Living Tradition
 
“Ní Charra is a superb, multi-dimensional musician, but she also has the sort of outstanding taste and reach that can really take a recording project and tie it together.  The results here are a total knockout!” 
Irish Echo 
 
“Ms Ní Charra has perfected the art of the medley, mixing and matching styles and rhythms in a single set, constantly adding little surprises… One of the best albums of 2021 so far!”FolkWorld