Noirin Ni Riain

(Filmed in October 2000)
NOTES: from Filming in Ireland, http://www.maireid.com
We were blessed in Co. Galway and Co. Clare with perfect sunshine days and clear, full moon nights, and Co. Tipperrary was just as lovely. We drove quite a distance through luxuriant countryside, passing many castle ruins, reminders of another very different Irish world, and on, through Limerick City, to Noirin Ni Riain's spectacular place in Tipperrary. The house, which is on the historic register, is being lovingly restored to its former grandeur by Noirin and her composer husband, Micheal O'Suilleabhain. It has a grand entrance hall with a wide staircase, high ceilings, and large rooms including a warm family kitchen. There is plenty of land around the house, with two horses, two grazing donkeys, and a Tibetan goat. In the middle of the enclosed farmyard, surrounded by a few brown and white hens, guinea hens, a goose and a peacock, sits a huge iron cauldron from the sad time of famine era soup kitchens. I brought home some feathers.

Noirin served us tea in the front room, with the help of Michael, one of her two tall sons. A warm fire blazed. She had set lit candles all over the room, as she likes to do when she celebrates being at home from her travels. Noirin is currently taking time off from recording and touring to work on her Ph.D. in Theology. We filmed a conversation with her in the warmth of her kitchen. She shared her insights on meeting the enthralling challenges of her current research and on the thoughts that inspire her life generally. We talked about ancient and current times in the religious life of Ireland. She told us about the ancient sites nearby and about the special 'fire' she felt when she placed her forehead against the largest stone in the Grange Ring, at Lough Gur. She advised us it would be well worth the detour to see the Grange Ring stone circle, about fifteen miles away. Noirin talked about the sense of privilege she enjoys in being able to attend retreats at Glenstal Abbey. She attends daily vespers there when she is home. She thinks of the Abbey chapel as her special sanctuary, and has made several recordings with the choir of monks there. She recommended we also go over to see it, as it's just five minutes from her home.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Tipperrary
• Micheal
• O'Suilleabhain
• Grange
• Ring
• at
• Lough
• Gur

[Anton17745]

Nóirin's voice and presence is a balm for the soul, so necessary to all of us today in the modern busy world. May she 'turn a song' for us for many years to come.

Le gach dea-ghuí.

[WrightCycloneR1820]

Hello Jake,

I must say I agree with you, Noirin's music has affected me in similar ways. I was very ill for about 5 years from 1998 onward, often in alot of pain and discomfort. I spent many nights lonely, sleepless and suffering, but I was fortunate to have been introduced to her music just before I became ill. Often her music, particularly Vox de Nube, was the only thing keeping me going.

[Nuiceltico]

Great that you met her so.She has a great angelic soprano Irish voice.

[jakeinengland]

I cannot listen to Noirin sing without weeping healing tears. Her voice,, and presence, cleanses the soul. I have been very blessed to have met her a few times and I will always consider Noirin to be one of the most important beings I have met. I pray that more of us in this world may be healed by the presence of Norin's voice.

[francisteeney]

I had the pleasure of meeting Noirin several times during the 1990's. She really affected for the good me with her spiritual attitude. I still listen to her music (and to the monks of Glenstal) to this day and love just it as much. May God bless them in their work.

[Shrednek]

I made a short video of the Stone Circle you mentioned. If your interested yype Irish Stone Circle Lough Gur Co.Limerick into you tube.

[KazKkaz]

What A lovely gentle spiritual lady Noirin is. I wish her continued success and joy in her life.

[BenAliGtor]

Good music moves the heart- but Noirin moves the heart, soul and spirit.

[roibeardx]

Nóirín is one of my big musical heroes!