County Meath, Ireland

From Cavan we cross into County Meath,the spiritual heart of Ireland as it includes the neolithic burial sites of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. 

 In ancient times it was also the seat of the High Kings of Ireland in Tara.  In more recent history it was also where the famous Battle of the Boyne was fought.

It is therefore no surprise that a fair bit of traditional music emanated from this county.  The legendary Bothy Band had some of its roots in the County with at least 3 member of the group born here, and most went on to have successful solo careers.  The Bothy Band was only active for 4 years during the 1970's, but they left a lasting impression on the Irish music scene with their dynamic style.  Here they are playing a live gig, Old Hag You Killed Me,which can be found on the album of the same name.

The man on the uileann pipes, Paddy Keenan, was born to a travelling family in Trim, County Meath and still performs around the world and is sometimes dubbed the Paganini of the Uileann pipes.  Here he is performing with Cyril O'Donoghue of County Clare on bouzouki.The tunes are Willie Coleman's / Scatter the Mud / The Old Favourite.  I can't find these particular tunes on any of his albums, but here is a list of his extensive discography.

Also part of the Bothy Band was Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill from Kells, County Meath on piano and vocals, who also played in other bands such as Skara Brae and performed with her sister, Maighread and her brother Graham.  She had a successful solo career too.  This song from the archives, Na Gamhna Geala (The White Calf) is from her 1975 album Tríona: 

Here she is performing together with her sister Maighread and Dónal Lunny from Tullamore, County Offaly performing a song called Bruach Na Carraige Báine from their 2010 album Idir an Dá Sholas (Between the two lights):

In 2009 the two sisters got together with 2 other friends in Donegal to celebrate the life of their brother Mícheál, who tragically died prematurely, to form the group T With the Maggies.  This song, Domhnach Na Fola, is from their 2010 self-titled album and describes the events of Bloody Sunday, when in 1972 British soliers shot and killed 13 unarmed civilians during civil rights marches in the city of Derry. 

Next stop County Louth.  As usual you can follow the route on this link.