2024 Obit: Ann Ní Mhaonaigh- & tribute lyric

Subject: Obit: Ann Ní Mhaonaigh - & tribute lyric
From: Felipa
Date: 18 Aug 24 - 04:00 PM

Áine aka Ann or Anna Ní Mhaonaigh was diagnosed with cancer in 2020. She died on 10 Aug. 2024. Ann comes from a very musical family. She herself was a singer and musician. I remember Ann playing the tin whistle when we were all much younger; I don't know if she played any other instruments.

The whole Ó Maonaigh family is very musical and some close relatives are very well known in Irish music circles, especially Ann's sister Máiread, of the group Altan. Their father Prionsias, who was also a fiddle player and is known for lyrics he wrote and other lyrics which he translated from English to Irish Gaelic. His wife is a singer, but I don't recall her performing in public. Ann and Máiread's nephew Ciarán is making a name for himself as a fiddle player and radio presenter. Máiread's daugher plays fiddle, and Máiread and Ann's brother, Ciarán's father Gearóid used to play the uileann pipes, but in the longer term has preferred to play guitar at music sessions.

A bit more about Ann Ni Mhaonaigh herself can be found at https://www.donegallive.ie/news/west-donegal/1577769/a-vibrant-glorious-presence-tributes-paid-to-iconic-musician-ann-ni-mhaonaigh.html

Máiread composed the following song for her sister after the initial cancer diagnosis:

Ré an tSolais

A ghile na gile las solas mo chroí,
‘Mo threorú go buan i nduibheagáin na h-óich’
Tá’n bealach seo corrach ach ní ghlacfaidh mé scíth
Go scroichfear ceann scríbe faoi sholas gealaí.

Tá’n oíche seo dorcha ach is feasach an tslí
’S an t-seisreach ag loinnriú i measc na réaltaí
Ach ar imeall na spéire idir dheirg dhá néal
Ó spréigheann gath gréine thar dhromchla an tsaoil.

Mar ón dubh tagann bán sin mar atá
Amhráin ársa ár sinsear, macalla na gcianta
Muna ngoilltear an duairc ní thuigtear an t- suairc
Agus guím ré an tsolais ar do chroí ’s do mhianta

Coinnigh an dóchas i ndeireadh an lae
’S cóthaigh do ghrá go dtéimid sa chré
Tóg suas do mheanma ,a chara mo chléibh,
’S guím ré an tsolais ort, ’s saol síochánta séimh.

Time of Light
Translated by Gearóid Ó Maonaigh

Bright is the brilliance that glows in my heart
And leads me my path in the gloom of this night
Along this road that is coarse, but I will not rest
‘Til I arrive at my destiny by this moonlight.

The night is dark but I know my way
Beneath the Plough as it radiates among the stars
Save at the brink of the sky amongst clouds of red
A sunbeam sweeps o’er the face of the Earth

After dark comes the light it’s the constant way
The distant echoes of our forefathers music
Suffer the pain to enlighten the joy
I bestow this beam to your heart’s desires

In faith and in hope at the end of the day
Our love will endure ‘till we return to clay
Raise up your spirits my dearest of friends
And peaceful your heart in the light of this life.