Michael is the creator of Féilire Amhrán Traidisiúnta na hÉireann, and tells us the story of the calendar's origins and growth and how it's now hung up on walls in homes all around the world. "The past is very much present" in this artistically spectacular, thoughtfully curated and quality product that brings us back to the present moment, like a song, and Michael introduces the songs that commemorate many different moments throughout the year. We talk about the quintessentially Irish relationship with the nature of time and that Ireland's unique jewel to the world is verbal - it is in language, and song and storytelling. It's a 12x12 (vinyl record size) wall calendar, complete with QR codes on different dates which you can scan and listen to songs that celebrate the land, the language and the people and animals of Ireland.
Our conversation weaves through placenames, etymology, ancestry, colonisation, language revival, song, community, craic and the return to Celtic rituals.
Go raibh míle maith agat, a Mhíchíl! Bhí sé ar fheabhas caint leat - Thanks a million, Michael! It was brilliant to talk with you!
Get your copy of the 2027 calendar here:
Ireland and the rest of the world: https://www.songcalendar.ie/
North and South America: https://ossianusa.com/products/the-traditional-irish-song-calendar-2027