This is taken from the sleeve notes for the CD Dual.

Muireann (Nic Amhlaoibh) learnt the song 'An Bairille' from the singing of Pound (Séamus O Luing), a great character from Dunquin who passed away in 1975.

Uist - Kerry Set: Bu chaomh leam bhith fuireach/Port Deàlai/Neili

Julie (Fowlis) starts here with a pipe tune which, like so many piping tunes, is also known as a song. This version from North Uist was written by a well-known and respected composer of songs, Angus MacLellan, called "Bu chaomh lean bhith fuireach". Julie sings only the first verse here.

The tune that follows is an example of how Scottish music influenced the music of West Kerry. There has been a steady flow of music back and forth between Ireland and Scotland over the years and we share many tunes. West Kerry is well known for its polkas which have 4/4 timing, distinctive from the 2/4 timing of the European polka.

They didn't become part of the Irish musical tradition until the early 1800s through the influence of the music of the Gaelic speaking Scottish Coast Guards who were stationed in West Kerry by the British Government. The first polka is named after the great box player Muiris "Deàlai" O Dàlaigh, whose family were from the Blasket island of Inis Mhic Uibhleàin, and which is based on a Scottish Strathspey, and song, "Siud mar chaidh an càl a dhollaidh".

The second polka was another favourite of Deàlai and is made all the more enjoyable by its lyrics which can often be heard sung by the set dancers and musicians in Dùn Chaoin (Dunquin). This is the Uist - Kerry Set: songs, pipes and polkas!

Thanks to Lis Ui Chéileachair, a daughter of Deàlai, for the words.

By the way (dala an scéil) another important source for these songs is the book 'An Blas Muimhneach' compiled by Breandaib Ac Gearailt which is published by Coiscéim - you can get it from them and or from Litriocht.