Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin
Pádraigín in India in January 2009 for cultural events with poets Michael Longley and Ciaran Carson
Background information
Birth name	Pádraigín Máire Ní Uallacháin
Born	County Louth, Ireland
Genres	Irish traditional Folk Celtic music
Occupation(s)	Singer Author Academic Composer
Years active	1994–present
Labels	Gael Linn (1994–2005) Ceoltaí Éireann (2006 – present)

Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin is a famous Irish singer, songwriter, and academic writer. She is known for her beautiful voice and for helping to keep traditional Irish music and songs alive. She has released many albums and written important books about Irish culture.

Pádraigín's Early Life and Education

Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin grew up in County Louth, Ireland. Her family spoke Irish at home. Her father was a teacher who loved collecting old songs from the Oriel area. He encouraged Pádraigín and her seven brothers and sisters to sing. Her sister, Eithne Ní Uallacháin, also became a well-known singer.

Pádraigín went to boarding school and later studied at two universities. She earned her doctorate degree from the University of Ulster in 2009. For many years, she lived in County Armagh before moving back to County Louth.

In 1977, Pádraigín made history at RTÉ, Ireland's main TV and radio station. She was the first woman to read the news headlines in Irish. She also created and presented many radio shows. In 1999, she decided to become a full-time musician.

Pádraigín's Music Career

First Albums and Early Success

In 1994, Pádraigín released her first album, A Stór is a Stóirín. It had 36 songs for all ages. Some of her songs were even made into music videos for TV channels like Channel 4 and TG4.

Her song Mullach a' tSí was later recorded by the famous guitarist Steve Vai in 2012. In 1995, Pádraigín released her second album, An Dara Craiceann: Beneath the Surface. This album featured traditional Irish songs, some sung without music. She also wrote music for the film Branwen.

Her third album, When I Was Young, was made for children. She worked with musician Garry Ó Briain and singer Len Graham on this album.

Exploring Oriel Songs and Traditions

From 1997 to 2012, Pádraigín often performed with Danish musician Palle Mikkelborg. She sang on his film soundtrack and album. She also wrote a song for harpist Helen Davies' album.

Between 2003 and 2005, Pádraigín did a lot of research on old songs from her home region, Oriel. She recorded an album called An Dealg Óir, which brought these forgotten songs back to life. Many talented musicians helped her with this album.

Her important book, A Hidden Ulster: People, songs and traditions of Oriel, was published in 2004. This big book is over 500 pages long. It shares rare songs, their stories, and information about folk traditions in Oriel since the 1600s. The book was highly praised and even featured in top book lists.

After her book came out, Pádraigín received special awards. She was honored for her great work in Irish song tradition. She also became the first traditional artist to get a major award from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

In 2005, Pádraigín released Áilleacht (Beauty), an album of new songs in Irish. She worked with Steve Cooney on this project.

Later Recordings and the Oriel Arts Project

In 2011, Pádraigín released Songs of the Scribe. For this album, she set ancient Irish poems to new music. She even traveled to Switzerland to read old Irish manuscripts. The album was very popular and stayed on the Celtic music charts for months.

Her third album for children, Let the Fairies In, came out in 2012.

In 2017, Pádraigín launched the Oriel Arts Project. This big project helps to find and restore old songs and music from the Oriel region. Many of these songs had lost their original tunes. Pádraigín led the project, researching and recording the songs. New videos were made, showing the beautiful region and local singers performing the songs. To celebrate the project, she released Ceoltaí Oirialla, a double album of Oriel songs.

In 2018, Pádraigín received the "Outstanding Contribution to Traditional Music" award at the Gradam Ceoil TG4 awards. This is a very important award in Irish traditional music.

From 2015 to 2019, Pádraigín directed the annual Éigse Oirialla festival in Carlingford. This festival featured concerts, talks, and discussions about Oriel's music and culture.

Recent Work: Seven Daughters of the Sea

In 2022, Pádraigín contributed a special keening song to the film The Black Guelph.

In November 2023, she released her tenth studio album, Seven Daughters of the Sea. She worked again with Dónal O'Connor and Steve Cooney. The album also features collaborations with guitarist Steve Vai and Indian flautist Rajat Prasanna.

Pádraigín's Artistic Style

Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin often works with other talented musicians like Garry Ó Briain, Steve Cooney, and Dónal O'Connor. She has set many poems to music, including works by famous Irish poets.

Her albums cover many different styles of music. She has recorded albums for children, new songs in Irish, English, and Scottish Gaelic. She sings both modern and traditional sean-nós songs. She has even included Gregorian chant and Indian chant in her music.

Many other artists have recorded Pádraigín's songs, including Dolores Keane, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, and Altan.

Awards and Special Recognition

Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin has received many awards for her contributions to music and culture:

• 2003 – Gradam Shean-nós Cois Life
• 2004 – Major Arts Award from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (she was the first traditional musician to get this award)
• 2004 – "Book of the Year" for A Hidden Ulster from the Times Literary Supplement and Irish Times
• 2009 – Doctorate degree from Ulster University
• 2018 – "Outstanding Contribution to Traditional Music" at Gradam Ceoil TG4
• 2018 – Mná an Mhisnigh (Women of Courage) Award
• 2018 – Cultural Achievement Award
• 2018 – Civic Award for her contribution to local culture
• 2018 – Creative Arts Award

Special Roles and Fellowships

Pádraigín has also held important positions:

• 2005 – Traditional Singer in Residence at the Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry at Queen's University Belfast
• She has also been a director at Dundalk Institute of Technology and The Glens Arts Centre.
• She was the first person to receive an Irish language fellowship from the Royal Literary Fund.

Pádraigín's Family

Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin has two sons, Eoghan Graham and Macdara Ó Graham. As mentioned, her sister was the singer Eithne Ní Uallacháin. Pádraigín is also the aunt of musician and producer Dónal O'Connor, film director Feilimí O'Connor, and Uilleann piper Finnian Ó Connor.

Pádraigín's Albums

• 1994 – A Stór Is A Stóirín
• 1995 – An Dara Craiceann
• 1997 – When I Was Young
• 1999 – An Irish Lullaby
• 2002 – An Dealg Óir
• 2005 – Áilleacht
• 2011 – Songs of the Scribe
• 2012 – LET THE FAIRIES IN
• 2017 – Ceoltaí Oirialla
• 2024 – Seven Daughters of the Sea