St. Joseph’s Church

This choral work was written for the Cantairí Chonamara choir by Máire Ní Dhuibhir in 2019. 
Connemara Songlines - Ceolmhacnamh ar Chonamara reflects on the beliefs of the native peoples of Australia that the old songs reveal ancient pathways across the land and that the landscape sings itself into existence. 
The use of a wide range of different qualities of sound, from unaccompanied song to full chorus with orchestral sound, mirrors that of the cantata form. Connemara Songlines explores in music, verse, and song some of the features, sounds, and sights of the beautiful landscape of Connemara, its mountains, lakes, stones and winds.

- Rita Connolly (vocal)
- Shaun Davey (vocal, keys)
- Donal Lunny (bouzouki)
- Cora Lunny (violin)
- David Brophy (vocal, piano)

The voice of Rita Connolly has been featured in the music of Shaun Davey for over 40 years. The pair visit Clifden Arts Festival again this year to perform songs he composed for her, each inspired by the beauty and emotional depth of her singing. Three musical friends join them; Cora Lunny, a violin soloist whose work spans classical and traditional forms; Donal Lunny on bouzouki, ever an influence since the early days of Planxty; and conductor David Brophy, closely associated with Davey's music, on piano and vocal.