The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #159615   Message #3784632
Posted By: keberoxu
10-Apr-16 - 04:07 PM
Thread Name: De Barra family ancestry (harps)
Subject: RE: De Barra family ancestry (harps)
A compact disc of music was released in early 2015, and is sold through Claddagh Records. The number is DeBCD001.
"An Caitín Bán", the title song, opens the album. It sounds like "Limerick Rake" melodically. The notes say it was passed down as a lullaby in the family. A few instrumental tracks are included. One song is in Breton.

The final song is a recording from 1969. Nessa Ní Thuama, the mother of the de Barra brothers, sings "An Raibh tú ag an gCarraig?" accompanying herself on the Irish harp.

As for the de Barra brothers, they perform on most of the songs on this album:
Éamonn de Barra sings, plays bodhrán, and pipes.
Fionán de Barra plays bass as well as guitar, and sings.
Cormac de Barra plays harp, also sings.
Dónal de Barra sings, and plays whistles.
They are joined by Fionnuala, Ruairí, and Mánus de Barra.

Besides their mother, there are guest appearances by three of Nessa Ní Thuama's siblings:
her brother Seán Ó Tuama plays whistles on a medley of reels.
The other two siblings are Séamus Og and Róisín Ní Thuama, who contribute vocals.

Finally, the dedication:
I nDil-Chuimhne Mháire & Séamuis Uí Thuama, Róisín Ní Sheaghdha agus Dónall Ó Cuill.