This phase of the project involved the re-energising of a traditional song from the older generation of singers in Co. Clare. The overall project objectives are to connect songs with place, to increase community engagement, and to facilitate song transmission across the generations, an important aspect of Rachel’s intergenerational traditional song & folklore practice in Ireland.

Rachel Uí Fhaoláin examined the song repertoire of the late Jamesie McCarthy (1898-1977), in The Carroll Mackenzie Collection at Clare County Library Archives. Jamesie McCarthy was born in Quilty in Co. Clare and he had a varied repertoire, although he was known mainly as a singer of comic songs. For this phase of the project, Rachel was particularly interested in the song ‘St. Brigids’ Well’ as sung by Jamesie McCarthy, and the folklore surrounding the holy well at Liscannor.  Jamesie McCarthy, as the source singer, and his interpretation of the story within the song was central to this phase of the project. Thanks to the support of Jim Carroll and Pat Mckenzie, along with their recording of Jamesie from 1976, Rachel has created a beautifully sympathetic narrative film piece which tells the story of St. Brigid’s Well in Liscannor, through traditional song, which she is delighted to bring forward into her educational practice.