Gaoth Dobhair fiddle player Ciarán Ó Maonaigh is set to release his second solo album this July, titled ‘Caillte sa Cheol / Lost in the Music’.
With 11 tracks and over 50 minutes of traditional Donegal tunes, the album features Ciarán’s fiddle playing, accompanied by the acclaimed musician and producer Seán Óg Graham.
Known for his work with Beoga, The Bothy Band, and Ed Sheeran, among many others, Seán Óg brings his signature touch to the production, accompaniment, and engineering.
Caillte sa Cheol will be officially launched by TG4 Musician of the Year 2025 Siobhán Peoples at the Willie Clancy Summer School on Sunday the 6th of July.
This is Ciarán’s second solo release, coming two decades after The Music of the Glen was released in 2004. The 20-year milestone prompted his return to the studio with his longtime musical friend and colleague Seán Óg. In the years between, Ciarán has recorded extensively, including four albums with the group Fidil, two with The High Seas, and one with his musical family, Na Mooneys.
As well as playing music, Ciarán is also a director of music documentaries for television and cinema. He has directed five series of the acclaimed TG4 documentary series ‘Sé Mo Laoch, and more recently, Brendan Gleeson’s Farewell to Hughes’s.
The album was recorded over the past year in Seán Óg Graham’s studio. Alongside Seán Óg’s contributions, the album features special guest appearances by Caitlín Nic Gabhann and Jimmy Higgins.
The final track was recorded live at Stiúideo Cuan as part of the Cuan an Cheoil series, and features a poignant collaboration with Liam Ó Maonlaí. At the end of the piece, Liam remarks: “Táim caillte… caillte leis an gceol.” – “I am lost… lost in the music.” It’s from this heartfelt moment that the album draws its title: Caillte sa Cheol | Lost in the Music
Caillte sa Cheol | Lost in the Music will be available as a CD & as a digital download from Bandcamp – https://caitlinciaran.bandcamp.com/ as well as streaming platforms and some select good music shops.
