Well, Áine quotes the following from Aoife's album notes: "The enumeration of the seven joys of Mary has the magical effect of a litany. This type of religious song was once widespread in Donegal. Antaine Ó Dochartaigh [of Cruit, near Dungloe] had a version from his mother and another version existed in Ranafast. Women were the chief bearers of this particular song tradition which was mostly associated with Lent."

Aoife Ní Fhearraigh comes from and lives in the Gaoth Dobhair /Gweedore Gaeltacht area of Donegal, so she may have learned some songs from childhood and/or from several sources. It is true, however, that most younger singers in the area actively seek songs rather than acquiring them by 'osmosis'. I recently attended a workshop with Brían Ó Domhnaill, who is originally from Anagaire (very near Rann na Feirste), and when he introduced 'Róisín Dubh', Brían said he'd learned the standard version at school and that no one had ever hinted that there were any Donegal versions of this song. But distinct versions have been collected from Róise na nAmhrán of Aranmore Island and from Néilí Ní Dhomhnaill of Rann na Feirste / Ranafast.

Aoife has a gig in Derry Friday week (16 May). I'm not sure I will attend it, but if you have any specific questions about any of her material p-m (or e-m) me and I'll see if I can pass them on to her. Breandan Ó Beaglaoích and Kate Purcell are also listed for this concert.