By Dan Walsh
‘In the Singing of Songs’ Book 2 by Gorey based artist, traditional singer, song writer, folklorist, educator and researcher Rachel Uí Fhaoláin was officially launched at the renowned North Wexford Traditional Singing Féile 2025 in the Loch Garman Arms, Gorey, with Cathaoirleach of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council, Cllr Donal Kenny in attendance.
In the Singing of Songs, devised, facilitated and produced by Rachel Uí Fhaoláin, is an innovative intergenerational project highlighting our living tradition of writing new songs in the traditional style.
Book 1 (2022) contained 33 newly composed songs in the traditional style while Book 2 has 32 new songs, in both Irish and English. The QR code at the back of the book takes the reader to a designated playlist of the new songs being performed by the singers and songwriters involved, and takes us on a special journey from Wexford to Newfoundland and beyond.
As with Book 1, this new intergenerational collection has a 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵. ‘Ag Canadh trí na Séasúir’ (Singing through the Seasons) contains new songs written by Rachel and her two children Éire agus Chulainn.
This is Rachel’s second songbook produced and published in 2025 under her family publishing press fóġṁar – fóghmhar (fómhar) – harvest. Her 1900s inspired themed songster ‘Glór Naomh Bríde’ (The Voice of St. Brigid) was published earlier in February to coincide with St. Brigid’s Day. ‘In the Singing of Songs’ Book 2, includes beautiful illustrations created by Rachel’s children Éire Ní Fhaoláin agus Cú Chulainn Ó Faoláin in response to the new songs while her husband John Ó Faoláin is responsible for documenting the songs through film and audio.
Rachel tells us “One of the highlights for me when I get to the printing stage is making the trip up to my home town of Dublin where my publications are printed. That’s important to me and I get to see where all the magic happens. The scent of it all makes my heart full. Gerry and his production team at Sprint Books are just amazing at what they do. They ‘Print Your Vision’ and I am so excited for what lies ahead.”
‘In the Singing of Songs’ Book 2 costs €20 plus p&p and it would make a beautiful Christmas present. If you would like to purchase a copy of Book 2 and support this important intergenerational project you can do so by emailing Rachel directly at ceolmochroi@gmail.com
The songbooks are also available in local bookshops throughout Co. Wexford.
Phase 2 of ‘In the Singing of Songs’ was kindly supported by County Wexford Arts Department and the North Wexford Traditional Singing Circle, through the Artist in the Community Programme 2025.
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