(For the benefit of those raising children with Irish, here's something you might like)
Gugalaí Gug!
A delightful album and book of traditional rhymes in Irish for children (and former children!)
What happens when you bring together a nervous hen, two primary schools, Cóilín from Ros na Rún and award-winning animation company Cartoon Saloon? You get Gugalaí Gug, an adorable CD compilation of traditional children’s rhymes from the Irish (Gaelic) tradition, accompanied by a lavishly-produced book illustrating the rhymes. Perfect for children aged 4 – 10 years, Gugalaí Gug is the latest release by Spiddal-based musician Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin whose last album Ceol na Mara/Songs of the Sea, proved hugely popular!
In all, there are twenty-nine tracks on the album – a lively mix of rhymes, children’s songs and virtuoso lilting. There’s even a traditional step dancer, lending his exuberant rhythms to the mix! Gugalaí Gug is bristling with weird and wonderful characters and scenarios that will fire young imaginations, for example, a strange chap called Máirtín who goes for walks in the dead of night, especially if it’s raining; a nervous hen who frets about where she should build her nest and a family of little green frogs who learn how to swim under the watchful eyes of Mammy and Daddy frog...
Performing on the CD are three generations of the Conamara community, ranging in age from four years to seventy something! The full range of the region’s vocal talent is featured – rhymers, singers and a lilter – almost forty voices in all. Among those included are the oldest and youngest cast members of Ros na Rún. Actor Tom Sailí Ó Flaithearta, well-known for his portrayal of the elderly bachelor Cóilín and six year old Iain Ó Nuanáin who plays Evan in TG4’s bi-weekly soap. Another grown-up voice featured is that of singer and Raidió na Gaeltachta broadcaster Caitlín Ní Chualáin.
But the real stars of the production are the local children, drawn from two primary schools. The first, Scoil an Chnoic, Leitir Mealláin, at the time of recording had nine pupils on the rolls. They’re all to be heard performing together on one track, “A hAon is a hAon”. The other school involved is Scoil Sailearna - in contrast, the biggest primary school in Conamara.
Accompanying the CD is a beautifully illustrated book containing the lyrics of the rhymes and songs from the album. Designed and illustrated by multi-award-winning animation company Cartoon Saloon, each page contains vivid illustrations which almost jump off the page bringing the rhymes and songs to life.
The album is the brainchild of Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin who has worked in music and television in Ireland for twenty years. A native of county Mayo, he began writing songs in Irish and English at the age of sixteen. He has to date released six albums of original material. A pioneer of contemporary songwriting in the Irish language, his songs for children and adults are now studied at all levels of the Irish education system, a highly unusual accolade for a songwriter.
Gugalaí Gug is released on the Futa Fata label with the support of Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge and Ealaín na Gaeltachta. It retails at €19.99 and is distributed by ÁIS and Cló Iar Chonnachta and is available in all good music and book stores across the country, or directly by post from
www.futafata.com.