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Biography Aoife
Ní Fhearraigh Aoife Ferry |
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Aoife
Ní Fhearraigh
was born and raised in the Donegal Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking region) of
Gweedore and is considered today one of the foremost of a new generation of
traditional singers. Small
wonder then that Aoife found herself surrounded by music from an early age.
These early influences included the late Prionsias Ó Maonaigh, the father of
Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh who taught her the fiddle. Later at school, she was
taught music by Máire Uí Bhraonáin, mother to some of the Clannad-members.
The strong local song tradition of Gweedore and nabouring Ranafast also
provided her with a wealth of beautiful songs. In
1991 Aoife released her first
recording ‘Loinneog
Cheoil’ (accompanied by the well-known band Dervish), a cassette
with 10 well-known and lesser known songs from her native region which as
re-recorded and re-released in 2005, produced by Manus Lunny of Capercaillie.
In 1996 her debut CD ‘Aoife’ was released
by Gael Linn and produced by Moya Brennan and Dennis Woods which contained
more traditional Irish language songs. In
2003 released her second CD The
Turning of the Tide on the
Celtic Collections label , which showed a different side to Aoife’s
repertoire with songs including Danny Boy, After the Goldrush, Neidin and also
included a duet with the famous Seán Keane In
2006 her fourth album ‘If I Told You’ was
released on the Phaeton label and distributed by Claddagh Records. Co-produced
with Paul Gardiner and Brendan Monaghan, this recording has a selection of
songs ranging from traditional English, Irish and newly written songs.
As a singer,
she manages to capture the essence and emotions of these songs and long life
into new ones, such as Long Hard Night, If I Told You, Crann Úll, The
Parting Glass and Táimse i m’chodhladh. Over
the years Aoife has toured and performed in You
can also hear her haunting voice on the Playstation Game – Metal Gear Solid
Original, The Best is Yet to Come (sung in Irish), written and produced by
Rika Muranaka. |