' Northern Songs: Méilte Cheann Dubhrann' (Irish Introduction)

'Méilte Cheann Dubhrann' is a traditional Irish song, in a new arrangement created by composer Neil Martin for Northern Ireland Opera. We filmed at Ballintoy Harbour in County Antrim, and the song is performed by mezzo soprano Margaret Bridge, tenor John Porter, cellist Neil Martin (who also arranged this version of the song) and pianist Ruth McGinley.

'Méilte Cheann Dubhrann' is the penultimate film in the new series of Northern Songs, which celebrate the stunning landscapes and landmarks of Northern Ireland through songs written by and performed by composers and singers from across the island of Ireland.

A Mhéilte Cheann Dubhrann, is sibh a thógfadh dom cian
Tráthnóna sa tsamhradh nuair a luíos an ghrian
Nach aoibheann do chladaigh d’oíche is de ló
Is a Mhéilte Cheann Dubhrann, céad slán libh go deo

[English translation:
Oh sandy hills of Ceann Dubhrann, it’s you that set me thinking
Of a summer’s evening as the sun sets
How beautiful are your beaches by night and by day
Oh sandy hills of Ceann Dubhrann, a hundred farewells to you for good]

Nach sna méilte udaí a chaith mé seal aoibhinn gan ghruaim
Ag buachailleacht eallaigh fá imeall an chuain
Is ann a bogadh mo chliabhan nuair a bhí mé beag óg
Is a Mhéilte Cheann Dubhrann, céad slán libh go deo

[English translation:
Wasn’t it in those yonder sandy hills that I spent some beautiful carefree time
Herding cattle around the harbour’s edge
And it was there that my cradle was rocked when I was small and young
Oh sandy hills of Ceann Dubhrann, a hundred farewells to you for good]

Tá néaltaí na maidne ag breacadh sa spéir
Tá na coiligh ag scairtigh le bánú an lae
Tá an soitheach ag fanacht in imeall an cheo
Is a Mhéilte Cheann Dubhrann, céad slán libh go deo

[English translation:
The morning clouds are dappling the sky
And the cocks are crowing as day breaks
The boat is waiting on the edge of the mist
Oh sandy hills of Ceann Dubhrann, a hundred farewells to you for good]

Nach trua mise amárach ag dul idir dhá dtír
Agus sléibhte na coigríche ag cur cumha ar mo chroí
Beidh mo rosca mar shruthán ag síorshileadh deor
Is a Mhéilte Cheann Dubhrann, céad slán libh go deo

[English translation:
Won’t I be sad tomorrow on my travels
As the foreign mountains make me long for home
My eyes will be streaming torrents of tears
Oh sandy hills of Ceann Dubhrann, a hundred farewells to you for good]


The opera singers who perform in this new series of Northern Songs are all previous finalists or winners of the Glenarm Festival of Voice, which is now in its eleventh year. Sopranos Catherine Donnelly and Susie Gibbons, mezzo Margaret Bridge, tenors John Porter and Andrew Irwin and bass-baritone David Howes perform across eight films in this new series which has a special focus on counties Fermanagh, Armagh and Tyrone, although we have filmed across Northern Ireland, from deep underground in the Marble Arch Caves all the way to the edge of the rocks of Balllintoy Harbour, made famous as the Iron Islands in Game of Thrones.