Irish Musicians Nuala Kennedy and Eamon O’Leary Release New Song “Liffeyside”

(headline image; Kevin Burke, Nuala Kennedy and Eamon O’Leary)

Irish traditional singer and flutist Nuala Kennedy and Dublin/New York singer and guitarist Eamon O’Leary have recently released their new song “Liffeyside.” The track accompanies their US performances with fiddler Kevin Burke on a tour of the Midwest and West Coast. “It’s a sneak preview!” Kennedy says of the track, an Irish ballad from their forthcoming album.

Kennedy and O’Leary are known for their creative recreations of traditional songs, as well as their originals. They were part of the acclaimed trio The Alt with John Doyle and have worked with Beth Orton, Mike Scott, Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub), and the Murphy Beds.

“Liffeyside” came to Kennedy from her friend and mentor Cathal McConnell of Boys of the Lough, who joins the track on backing vocals. He in turn learned it from the singing of Delia Murphy, a 20th-century Irish song collector.

“I fell in love with the song’s universal theme of love,” Kennedy says. “And we adapted the chorus to make it more of a sing along, so everyone could join in!” Indie-folk singer Will Oldham (aka Bonnie Prince Billy) and Liz Knowles (Martin Hayes, Open the Door for Three) are also on the track.

Musicians: Nuala Kennedy (vocals, flute) & Eamon O’Leary (vocals, guitar, bouzouki, piano), featuring Will Oldham & Cathal McConnell (backing vocals), Liz Knowles (strings)

“Liffeyside” Lyrics

When some crystal clouds of dawn o’er the moor are peeping,
Past the sheiling where my love through the night is sleeping,
From Liffey’s side I call you, dear love, don’t ever be forlorn,
Dear love, the night is ending and soon will bring another dawn.

When at noon the sun is high in the sky above you,
Every living thing that moves seems to say that I love you,
From Liffey’s side I call to you, dear love, the sun is shining high,
Dear love, the sun is shining , the sun is shining bright for you.

In the evening, by the fire, with crickets singing,
The swallows to their nests in the eaves are winging,
From Liffey’s side, I call to you across the meadows and the moor,
Dear love, the night is ending and soon will bring another dawn.

Delia Murphy Kiernan (16 February 1902 – 11 February 1971) was a singer and collector of Irish ballads, who recorded songs from the 1930s to 1960s. During World War II, while her husband was the Irish Ambassador in Rome, Kiernan aided Vatican official Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty in saving the lives of 6,500 Allied soldiers and Jews.

Burke Kennedy O’Leary Tour

Mar 13, Little River CA, The Little River Inn
Mar 14, Berkeley CA, Freight & Salvage
Mar 15, Chico CA, Chico Women’s Club, Info 530-342-1055 or pullinsusa@sbcglobal.net
Mar 16, Sacramento CA, The Sofia
Mar 17, Portland OR, Alberta Rose Theatre