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Maire Ni Scolai (1909 - 1985) traditional singer
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai (1909 - 1985) traditional singer From: keberoxu Date: 10 May 16 - 02:15 PM This artist's ainm.ie entry, like the others, is written in Irish Gaelic by Diarmuid Breathnach and Máire Ní Mhurchú. What follows is my own clumsy attempt -- with help from a translator program -- to render some of the biographical details in English translation. [translation quotes] Not only did Máire Ní Scolaí die without issue, but both of her parents have no surviving issue or surviving relative today. Information about Michael Scully, the singer's father, comes from the 1911 census and from the singer's birth certificate. The census states that Michael Scully was born in co. Kildare. The birth certificate states that the father had formerly served in the Royal Irish Constabulary as a sergeant. On July 16, 1906 at St. John's parish in Clontarf, Michael Scully married Mary Kavanagh, the daughter of a blacksmith from Delany, co. Wicklow. Máire Ní Scolaí, at birth formally named Mary Anne Gabriel Scully, along with her older brother Michael John Joseph Scully, were born in Dublin; the singer's date of birth is May 24, 1909. By the time of the 1911 census, another child had been born to the young family, and they had relocated to the native county of the former Mary Kavanagh; they now lived upon the Bellevue Demesne of Delgany, co. Wicklow. On February 26, 1911, Mona Teresa Scully, a little sister, was born there. Michael Scully was receiving some form of support or compensation as a former Constabulary sargeant, and took on additional work to supplement this income: the census describes him as an insurance agent, while his daughter's birth certificate says he was a traveling salesman. There is an additional detail volunteered by Máire N&iacut;e Scolaí during a radio interview, in which she claimed that she had, not one, but two brothers: Michael John Joseph Scully, her older brother, had died while still a small child; and the singer said that she had a brother, Bill, "who seems to have died in South Africa." [end translation quotes] |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai (1909 - 1985) traditional singer From: GUEST Date: 10 May 16 - 04:27 AM Does anyone out there have the Gael-Linn LP with sleeve notes? The lp comes up very regularly on ebay. |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai (1909 - 1985) traditional singer From: GUEST,keberoxu Date: 09 May 16 - 07:36 PM More and more it appears evident that the 1971 long-playing vinyl album "Máire Ní Scolaí," issued on the Gael Linn label, is the re-release of song recordings made, in some cases, many years earlier. Both in the 1940's and 1950's documentation at the BBC and Radio Eireann/RTÉ shows that Ms. Ní Scolaí's singing was something of a broadcast staple, and it is easy to speculate that the 78 RPM recordings date from that period of time as well. Searching also brings up documentation under the name Máire Ní Scolaidhe. Does anyone out there have the Gael-Linn LP with sleeve notes? Do the notes say anything helpful? Thanks. |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: keberoxu Date: 08 May 16 - 08:06 PM Regarding the vinyl long-playing album issued in 1971, here's what I have to work with. There is a grand total of twenty-one songs on "Máire Ní Scolaí." Side One has twelve songs. Side Two has nine songs. The conclusion to be drawn from the statements in the previous post: The nine songs on Side Two were previously recorded for HMV at some time. Maybe these were 78 RPM?? The twelve songs on Side One came from the archives at RTÉ. This is outside my area of expertise. Live broadcasts? Pre-recorded? Not to mention, when? So, through a page online (I don't have a copy of the vinyl album or its sleeve), I offer this listing of the songs by album sides, in order. (an EBay listing) Side One, which will be the RTÉ archive source. 1. Sail Óg Rua 2. Seoladh Na nGamhna 3. Máire Ní Ghríofa 4. Go dtaga an Nollaig 5. An Droighneán Donn 6. Moll Dubh an Ghleanna 7. Bean an Fhir Rua 8. Una Bhán 9. Frinseach Tír Eoghain 10. Dónall Óg 11. Seoithín Seothó 12. an Clár Bog Déil Side Two would be from HMV (His Master's Voice). 1. an Caisideach Bán 2. Caisleán Uí Néill 3. 's Oró Mhíle Ghrá 4. 'sé Fáth mo Bhuartha 5. an Sceilpín Droighneach 6. Oró mo Bháidín 7. Cuiachín Ghleann Neifín 8. Caoineach na dTrí Muire 9. Eibhlín a Rún |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: keberoxu Date: 08 May 16 - 07:13 PM Máire Ní Scolaí came to my attention from the three opening songs on "Amhráin Ghrá," a Gael-Linn compact disc anthology issued in 2011. These three tracks, like many others on this recording, were previously issued on earlier productions on the Gael Linn label. The notes with this collection referenced the vinyl long-playing album, titled "Máire Ní Scolaí," which Gael Linn released in 1971: at this point Ní Scolaí was nearly at the end of her life. It occurred to me to question when these studio tracks were actually recorded: her voice sounds in good estate, and it is hard to believe at that advanced age she could still sound quite that flawless. So I looked around to see if I could discover anything, since the "Amhráin Ghrá" album notes do not say when Ní Scolaí actually went into the studio and sang for Gael Linn....if indeed that was what she did. Here is what I have unearthed. This comes from www.ainm.ie, where the biographical entries are in Gaelic -- not one of my languages, but there are online tricks to using a translator program. Anyway, ainm.ie has a lengthy, detailed biographical sketch for this singer. My English translation from the Máire Ní Scolaí biographical page: "On her long-playing vinyl album ["Máire Ní Scolaí"] issued by Gael Linn, the song recordings for Side One came from the RTÉ archives. The selection of recordings for Side Two was made from old His Master's Voice records [HMV]." It seems correct to presume that ALL of these recorded performances, be they for RTÉ or HMV, may predate the 1971 release of the Gael Linn LP by some time, perhaps a rather long time. And it may require a lot more digging before I can find anything specific documenting the vintage of those studio recordings. Remember, Maire Ni Scolai was born in 1909 and died in 1985. In 1971 she would have been sixty-two years of age. |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: keberoxu Date: 03 May 16 - 08:31 PM It has taken me weeks of cogitation and reflection to work out the words to describe my impression, of sean-nós sung by Máire Ní Scolaí. Here is an attempt. As I have posted on a different thread, the sound of Máire Ní Scolaí's singing voice exposes the technique of breath control and support with which she sustains long, ornamented, nearly instrumental melodic passages. I hear her classical singing technique especially in that tone, and in the breath support exposed in that tone. She has the breath control, what the Italians prefer to call "appoggio," of a continental European singer -- a great one, I would have to say; her singing is in fact a master class in how to let the voice ride a column of air, on the breath. Opera singers could profit from listening to her recordings. What is the effect of this sort of sound production in traditional unaccompanied singing in Gaelic? If I were to compare it to the singing of, let us say, Liam Clancy, himself a seasoned artist and performer, this is how I would phrase it: Liam's voice has the grain of wood, solid yet living wood; while Máire Ní Scolaí's recorded voice sounds like it is carved out of marble and polished until it shines. Necessarily, one sounds more organic and alive than the other. Some listeners have a horror of marble statues in their music rooms; some desire little else. I personally would not be without either one. |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: keberoxu Date: 12 Apr 16 - 01:39 PM Gael Linn, in 2011, issued a CD album that is a sort of sampler, with eight singers in recordings made for Gael Linn over the years. The title of the CD is "Amhráin Ghrá." There are links to it in the Mudcat thread called "All the dear Spinning Eileens." Plainly Máire Ní Scolaí was something different than a "spinning Eileen," with her classical singing background and her firsthand fieldwork in collecting traditional songs. However, as previous posts state, her one vinyl LP was recorded for Gael Linn at about the same time that the Cabaret Gael Linn was promoting singers who accompanied themselves on the harp. "Amhráin Ghrá" opens with three songs from Máire Ní Scolaí's long-playing album from 1971. They are: An Draighneán Donn Seoithín Seothó Eibhlín, a Rúin This Gael Linn compilation is CEFCD 201. |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: keberoxu Date: 06 Apr 16 - 01:50 PM Info is not easy to come by on this artist. My online searches had me raking a lot of cybermuck. I was startled when I saw a forum post -- not this forum! -- by a person who described her/himself as a sean-nos devotee, and complained that when sean-nos was sung with classical technique by Maire Ni Scolai, the person could not help laughing, and found it too much to bear. Well, I have that problem with Andrew Rowan Summers singing in my native English, so who am I to judge? |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: keberoxu Date: 05 Apr 16 - 02:41 PM This singer has a biographical entry, in Irish, at www.ainm.ie. It contains one or two quotes in English. Here is one, attributed to Cyril Ó Céirín: "Máire, a mezzo-soprano, combined what she had learned of sean-nós singing in the Gaeltachtaí with her training in classical music and was one of the few singers ever to do so with complete success." And after Ní Scolaí moved to Galway, but before she got married, she came to the rescue of a theatrical production, and people sat up and took notice of her. She played the female lead in Diarmuid and Gráinne. Her Diarmuid was Micheál Mac Liammóir, who recalled: "I was playing Diarmuid myself, Liam Ó Briain was Fionn (Finn McCool), and Máire Ní Scolaidhe, a lovely dark girl with astonishing golden eyes, was Gráinne. Of course, she wasn't up to a part that contained the stuff for a mature and lyrical tragedienne, but for sheer beauty and charm she was more than one could have hope for, and I have never ceased to be grateful for the hours of work she gave us, or for the grace of her movements." Pádraig Ó Siadhail, writing in "Stair drámáoicht na Gaeilge 1900 - 1970" [History of Gaelic Drama 1900-1970], made two observations: Ní Scolaí replaced, in the role of Gráinne, a professional married actress whose husband, three weeks before the play opened, objected to the way that Micheál Mac Liammóir was kissing his wife in character. The actress is not identified in this biographical entry. In the same history, the author discloses that Ní Scolaí retired from the acting profession when she suspected that being an actress was doing damage to her singing voice. August 28, 1927 in the Connacht Sentinel newspaper: "Good acting, clear diction, beauty, grace, loveliness, she combined in a portrayal of rare merit. She reminds one forcibly of Miss Eileen Crowe in her early days at the Abbey Theatre. But we doubt if even that talented actress could bring anything better to the stage than the dignity and stateliness and ability of Miss Scully....Mr. Ernest Blythe, at the conclusion of the performance, highly praised Miss Scully. She was only a short time rehearsing the part, but she has the true artistic insight." |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: Connacht Rambler Date: 05 Aug 10 - 06:25 AM There's now a page about Maire Ni Scolai and a photo at Ramblinghouse |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: GUEST,Dermot Buckley Date: 03 Aug 10 - 03:45 PM Liam O'Buachalla was my Grand Uncle and I think I have a tape of Marie Ni Scolai somewere I must look for it |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: GUEST,^&* Date: 07 May 10 - 06:24 AM No - I'm confusing it with another reissue, I'm afraid. |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: GUEST,^&* Date: 07 May 10 - 06:19 AM I think there was a CD of her work published/republished within the past year or two. I'll check. |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: GUEST,Ephy Clarke Date: 07 May 10 - 05:54 AM Hi maire Ni Scolai was my grand aunt, she was married to my uncle Liam O Buachalla, Dean of UCG and Chairman of the senate. Maire toured and sang regularly with Father Sidney Mc Ewan |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: GUEST Date: 01 Aug 08 - 02:12 PM Thank You |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: MartinRyan Date: 01 Aug 08 - 04:33 AM As mentioned earlier in the thread, there was an old Gael Linn recording issued as LP and, perhaps, cassette tape many years ago. As far as I can see, it was never released on CD. Regards |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: GUEST,Patricia in NYC Date: 31 Jul 08 - 08:57 PM Maire Ni Scolia was my maternal grandfather's 1st cousin. As a child her and I were pen pals, she had a real spirit. I too would like to find the recordings on CD. |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: GUEST,Com Seangan Date: 04 Feb 05 - 06:47 AM For Thompson and JTT and other interested people - a little human story - told by "the Murph" himself - he was Professor of English at UCG - but who ouside class always spoke to his students in Irish. I should preface the story by emphasising how Liam O Buachalla (married to Maire Ni Scolai) adored the ground that Maire walked on - I'd swear they were as romantically in love the day that death intervened as they were the day that their eyes first met. Now, The Murph and Liam O Buachalla were the closest of friends - they shared so much - the Irish, The Music, The Taibhdhearc (theatre). One afternoon as they were having a cuppa in the College (Liam never drank)O Buachalla said (in Irish of course) : "Sorry I have to rush home as Maire is on the Radio at five o'clock". Now it transpired that at that time, there was an Irish writer of substance from Donegal who used broadcast from time to time and his pen-name was MAIRE. "The Murph" who was thinking of Maire the writer replied: "Yerra cuir uait a mhac, le firinne pian sa toin an Maire ceanna". Which being loosly translated is "Ah will you go on, the truth is that Maire gives me a pain in the arse". "The Murph" was a bit puzzled why Liam left his company so abruptly. It was only when he got home himself and heard the sweet voice of Maire Ni Scolai that he realised - My God - My God -how deep he had put his large foor in it. Immediatly into his car and makes for Liam's abode on Taylors's Hill and I tell you he had some bit of explaining to do before full harmony was restored. God be good to them all - they were great people. |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: Moleskin Joe Date: 04 Feb 05 - 06:40 AM The record is indeed on Gael-Linn CEF 029 and came out in 1971. In the sleeve notes Sean MacReamoinn acknowledges that her art is not "traditional" in the strict sense. |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: GUEST,Philippa Date: 04 Feb 05 - 06:15 AM I remember Liam Andrews of Belfast playing an LP of Máire Ní Scolaí for me back around 1972/73. I'm almost certain the album was on Gael-Linn. |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: Thompson Date: 04 Feb 05 - 03:24 AM Oh, this is good stuff, Com Seangan, go raibh míle maith agat! |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: GUEST,Com Seangan Date: 03 Feb 05 - 05:58 PM JTT. Yes. I knew Maire well. She had gone beyond her "peak" however when I got to know her. She was married to Liam O Buachalla, Professor of Economics UCG and Chairman of the Seanad, they both were very Republican in their outlook and Liam gave his lectures in Irish only. He chaired the Oireachtas (joing meeting of Dail and Seanad) when Presient Kennedy addressed the house in 1963. They had no family. Maire established a "traditional"choir at UCG which was great fun. - something like Sean Og O Tuama had on Radio Eireann. She had a way with students. I agree with Fear Faire that Maire would not have been a traditional singer in the "traditional" sense but from her Radio broadcasts did much to promote the traditional songs long before the foundation of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: GUEST Date: 23 Apr 04 - 01:19 PM Fear Faire, discussing the merits of Marie Ni Scolai`s interpretations of traditional songs, reminds me of the many arguments among the various "experts", I always enjoyed her singing, although she would never be classed as a traditional singer, as Fear Faire says, " too Sopranoish". |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: GUEST,Martin Ryan Date: 23 Apr 04 - 07:48 AM There was an album available on cassette up to quite recently - I remember picking up a copy for someone. I'm not sure if it ended up on CD. Regards |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: Fear Faire Date: 23 Apr 04 - 06:58 AM There was one LP. Not sure if it was ever re-issued on CD. A bit too trained or too sopranoish for many tastes but by far the most "authentic" and also genuine of those (if you know what I mean). Probably a Gael Linn issue given the era. |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: GUEST,JTT Date: 23 Apr 04 - 05:52 AM Hmmm. I suppose the nephew's asking about recordings. He says she has a lovely light voice and fabulous phrasing. |
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Subject: RE: Maire Ni Scolai From: Brían Date: 23 Apr 04 - 12:03 AM Well, I found this by doing a Google search. Brían from Joe Offer: Archive of the link above: MÁIRE NÍ SCOLAÍ (1909 - 1985) traditional singer Born Dublin Educated at Central Model Schools and Ring College. She went to Galway with her sister Mona and soon acquired a reputation as a teacher of Irish singing and dancing. Appeared as Gráinne with Micheál MacLiammóir in his Diarmaid agus Gráinne in the Taibhdhearc in 1928. Married Liam Ó Buachalla, then a lecturer in UCG. She became widely known for her interpretations of traditional songs, won many prizes at feiseanna, broadcast frequently from Radio Éireann and the BBC and in France and America, and gave recitals in Covent Garden and Queen’s Hall, London. She collected many songs in the Galway and Donegal Gaeltacht. Died in Galway on 29 June 1985 Source: A Dictionary of Irish Biography, Henry Boylan (ed.), Gill & Macmillan, Dublin, 1998. |
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Subject: Maire Ni Scolai From: GUEST,JTT Date: 22 Apr 04 - 05:25 PM Apparently I gave my nephew a record by Máire Ní Scolai at some stage, and he now wants to know more about her. I haven't an idea. Anyone? |
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