Dr Deirdre Ní Chonghaile
Deirdre Ní Chonghaile
Curator - Writer - Musician
Deirdre Ní Chonghaile is a writer, musician, broadcaster, and curator from the Aran Islands. Working bilingually across multiple disciplines, she is drawn to voices, contemporary and historical, especially those that have been marginalized,
and to what they have to say or sing. She read Music at St. Hilda's College, Oxford, worked at the University of Notre Dame, the Library of Congress, and New York University, and is currently curating projects for the University of Galway and Bailiúchán Béaloideas Árann. Her 2021 book Collecting Music in the Aran Islands: A Century of History and Practice, published by the University of Wisconsin Press, has been described as "one of the most important and fascinating books about Irish traditional music in recent memory." It won the 2021 Michael J. Durkan Prize for Books on Language and Culture from the American Conference for Irish Studies and was awarded a Special Commendation for the NUI Irish Historical Research Prize 2023.
and to what they have to say or sing. She read Music at St. Hilda's College, Oxford, worked at the University of Notre Dame, the Library of Congress, and New York University, and is currently curating projects for the University of Galway and Bailiúchán Béaloideas Árann. Her 2021 book Collecting Music in the Aran Islands: A Century of History and Practice, published by the University of Wisconsin Press, has been described as "one of the most important and fascinating books about Irish traditional music in recent memory." It won the 2021 Michael J. Durkan Prize for Books on Language and Culture from the American Conference for Irish Studies and was awarded a Special Commendation for the NUI Irish Historical Research Prize 2023.
Gradaim - Awards
2023 Special Commendation, NUI Irish Historical Research Prize, National University of Ireland
2021 Michael J. Durkan Prize for Books on Language and Culture, American Conference for Irish Studies
2019 TV Programme of the Year, Gradaim an Oireachtais 2019, for Lomax in Éirinn (Aisling Productions, 2018)
2019 Spirit of the Festival Award, Celtic Media Festival, for Lomax in Éirinn (Aisling Productions, 2018)
2019 Nominated for Celtic Media Festival Arts Feature Award for Lomax in Éirinn (Aisling Productions, 2018)
2018 Bronze Medal, Music Category, International New York Festivals Radio Award for ‘The Banshee and The Tiger’ (Rockfinch Productions, 2018)
2017 Nominated for Celtic Media Festival Arts Feature Award for Oíche Chaillte an tSeanchaí (C-Board Films, 2016)
2017 Nominated for Celtic Media Festival Factual Series Award for Tríd an Lionsa (Sibéal Teo, 2015)
2014 NUI Galway Research Showcase Award (Rev. Murphy Archive)
2014 EXPLORE NUI Galway Award for Innovative Collaboration 2014
2013 Book featuring a chapter of mine – Ancestral Imprints: Histories of Irish Traditional Music and Dance edited by Thérèse Smith (Cork: Cork University Press, 2012) – was awarded a Certificate of Merit in the Association for Recorded Sound Collections Awards for Excellence for Historical Recorded Sound Research in Folk, Ethnic, or World music, 2013
2013 Best Blog in the Irish Language, Blog Awards Ireland, 2013 (bilingual blog – http://aransongs.blogspot.ie/)
2021 Michael J. Durkan Prize for Books on Language and Culture, American Conference for Irish Studies
2019 TV Programme of the Year, Gradaim an Oireachtais 2019, for Lomax in Éirinn (Aisling Productions, 2018)
2019 Spirit of the Festival Award, Celtic Media Festival, for Lomax in Éirinn (Aisling Productions, 2018)
2019 Nominated for Celtic Media Festival Arts Feature Award for Lomax in Éirinn (Aisling Productions, 2018)
2018 Bronze Medal, Music Category, International New York Festivals Radio Award for ‘The Banshee and The Tiger’ (Rockfinch Productions, 2018)
2017 Nominated for Celtic Media Festival Arts Feature Award for Oíche Chaillte an tSeanchaí (C-Board Films, 2016)
2017 Nominated for Celtic Media Festival Factual Series Award for Tríd an Lionsa (Sibéal Teo, 2015)
2014 NUI Galway Research Showcase Award (Rev. Murphy Archive)
2014 EXPLORE NUI Galway Award for Innovative Collaboration 2014
2013 Book featuring a chapter of mine – Ancestral Imprints: Histories of Irish Traditional Music and Dance edited by Thérèse Smith (Cork: Cork University Press, 2012) – was awarded a Certificate of Merit in the Association for Recorded Sound Collections Awards for Excellence for Historical Recorded Sound Research in Folk, Ethnic, or World music, 2013
2013 Best Blog in the Irish Language, Blog Awards Ireland, 2013 (bilingual blog – http://aransongs.blogspot.ie/)
Saothair - Projects
- Collecting Music in the Aran Islands: A Century of History and Practice (University of Wisconsin Press, 2021)
- Amhráin Árann - Aran Songs (Facebook / Twitter)
- Rev. Daniel J. Murphy Archive
- Prof. Tomás Ó Máille Archive
Scríobh - Writing
Monograph
Collecting Music in the Aran Islands: A Century of History and Practice. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 2021.
(Winner of the Michael J. Durkan Prize for Books on Language and Culture, American Conference for Irish Studies.
Awarded a Special Commendation for the NUI Irish Historical Research Prize 2023.)
Collecting Music in the Aran Islands: A Century of History and Practice. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 2021.
(Winner of the Michael J. Durkan Prize for Books on Language and Culture, American Conference for Irish Studies.
Awarded a Special Commendation for the NUI Irish Historical Research Prize 2023.)
Data set & metadata
Ní Chonghaile, Deirdre, Dereza, Oksana, & Wolf, Nicholas. An Gaodhal Newspaper Full-Text OCR Output Files [Data set]. New York University. https//doi.org/10.58153/5ya5n-mc504 (December 2023).
Catalogue of the Sidney Robertson Cowell Ireland Recordings 1955-6. Digital catalogue in .csv and SKOS formats, Irish Traditional Music Archive, 2021, https://www.itma.ie/blog/sidney-robertson-cowell.
Ní Chonghaile, Deirdre, Dereza, Oksana, & Wolf, Nicholas. An Gaodhal Newspaper Full-Text OCR Output Files [Data set]. New York University. https//doi.org/10.58153/5ya5n-mc504 (December 2023).
Catalogue of the Sidney Robertson Cowell Ireland Recordings 1955-6. Digital catalogue in .csv and SKOS formats, Irish Traditional Music Archive, 2021, https://www.itma.ie/blog/sidney-robertson-cowell.
Peer-reviewed articles
Oksana Dereza, Deirdre Ní Chonghaile, and Nicholas Wolf. “'To Have the "Million" Readers Yet': Building a Digitally Enhanced Edition of the Bilingual Irish-English Newspaper An Gaodhal (1881-1898)." Proceedings of the Third Workshop on Language Technologies for Historical and Ancient Languages (LT4HALA), part of LREC-COLING Joint International Conference on Computational Linguistics, Language Resources and Evaluation, Torino, 20-25 May 2024.
“Urraim agus uafás ionchollaithe: Ómós do John Millington Synge le Máirtín Ó Direáin.” ComharTaighde 5 (Internet), https://comhartaighde.ie/eagrain/5/nichonghaile/ (November 2019).
“‘listening to this rude and beautiful poetry’: John Millington Synge mar Bhailitheoir Amhrán in Árainn.” Béaloideas 84 (2016): 84-103.
“‘listening to this rude and beautiful poetry’: John Millington Synge as Song Collector in the Aran Islands.” Irish University Review 46.2 (2016): 243–259.
“Róisín Dubh: mar a chruthaigh Seán Ó Riada aintiún an Éirí Amach.” ComharTaighde 1 (Internet), https://comhartaighde.ie/eagrain/1/nichonghaile/ [November 2015].
“‘listening for landfall’: how silence and fear marginalized the music of the Aran Islands.” Études Irlandaises 39, no.1 (2014): 41-55.
“In Search of America: Sidney Robertson Cowell in Ireland in 1955-56.” Journal of American Folklore, 126, no.500 (Spring 2013): 174–200.
“Broadcasting Bailiúchán Bhairbre: Recordings and Radio, Ethnomusicology and Impact.” Ethnomusicology Forum 20, no.2 (2011): 263-269.
“Ní neart go cur le chéile: lámhscríbhínní ceoil a chruthaigh Petrie agus Ó Comhraí in Árainn in 1857.” In Léachtaí Cholm Cille XL: Foinn agus Focail, ed. Ruairí Ó hUiginn, 86-108. Maigh Nuad: An Sagart, 2010.
“An Teach Ósta: Tinteán an Cheoil Thraidisiúnta?” In Bliainiris 7, eds. Ruairí Ó hUiginn and Liam Mac Cóil, 72-84. Ráth Chairn: Carbad, 2007.
Oksana Dereza, Deirdre Ní Chonghaile, and Nicholas Wolf. “'To Have the "Million" Readers Yet': Building a Digitally Enhanced Edition of the Bilingual Irish-English Newspaper An Gaodhal (1881-1898)." Proceedings of the Third Workshop on Language Technologies for Historical and Ancient Languages (LT4HALA), part of LREC-COLING Joint International Conference on Computational Linguistics, Language Resources and Evaluation, Torino, 20-25 May 2024.
“Urraim agus uafás ionchollaithe: Ómós do John Millington Synge le Máirtín Ó Direáin.” ComharTaighde 5 (Internet), https://comhartaighde.ie/eagrain/5/nichonghaile/ (November 2019).
“‘listening to this rude and beautiful poetry’: John Millington Synge mar Bhailitheoir Amhrán in Árainn.” Béaloideas 84 (2016): 84-103.
“‘listening to this rude and beautiful poetry’: John Millington Synge as Song Collector in the Aran Islands.” Irish University Review 46.2 (2016): 243–259.
“Róisín Dubh: mar a chruthaigh Seán Ó Riada aintiún an Éirí Amach.” ComharTaighde 1 (Internet), https://comhartaighde.ie/eagrain/1/nichonghaile/ [November 2015].
“‘listening for landfall’: how silence and fear marginalized the music of the Aran Islands.” Études Irlandaises 39, no.1 (2014): 41-55.
“In Search of America: Sidney Robertson Cowell in Ireland in 1955-56.” Journal of American Folklore, 126, no.500 (Spring 2013): 174–200.
“Broadcasting Bailiúchán Bhairbre: Recordings and Radio, Ethnomusicology and Impact.” Ethnomusicology Forum 20, no.2 (2011): 263-269.
“Ní neart go cur le chéile: lámhscríbhínní ceoil a chruthaigh Petrie agus Ó Comhraí in Árainn in 1857.” In Léachtaí Cholm Cille XL: Foinn agus Focail, ed. Ruairí Ó hUiginn, 86-108. Maigh Nuad: An Sagart, 2010.
“An Teach Ósta: Tinteán an Cheoil Thraidisiúnta?” In Bliainiris 7, eds. Ruairí Ó hUiginn and Liam Mac Cóil, 72-84. Ráth Chairn: Carbad, 2007.
Book Chapters
"Greim an fhir bháite." Archipelago: A Reader, eds. Nicholas Allen & Fiona Stafford, 21-30. Dublin: Lilliput Press, 2021.
“‘Sagart gan iomrádh’: An tAthair Domhnall Ó Morchadha (1858-1935) agus amhráin Philadelphia” in Litríocht na Gaeilge ar fud an Domhain, eds Máirín Nic Eoin, Ríona Nic Congáil, Pádraig Ó Liatháin, Meidhbhín Ní Úrdail, & Regina Uí Chollatáin, 191-214. Baile Átha Cliath: LeabhairComhar, 2015.
“An tráth seo thiar níor chualas’: ciúnas, coimhthíos, agus imeallú cheol Árann.” In Mo Ghnósa Leas an Dáin: In Omós do Mháirtín Ó Direáin, eds. Meidhbhín Ní Úrdail & Caoimhín Mac Giolla Léith, 151-172. An Daingean: An Sagart, 2014.
“Broadcasting Bailiúchán Bhairbre: Recordings and Radio, Ethnomusicology and Impact.” In Ancestral Imprints: Histories of Irish Traditional Music and Dance, ed. Thérèse Smith, 118-127. Cork: Cork University Press, 2012.
“Séamus Ennis, W.R. Rodgers and Sidney Robertson Cowell on the traditional music of the Aran Islands.” In Anáil an Bhéil Bheo: Orality and Modern Irish Culture, eds. Nessa Cronin, Seán Crosson & John Eastlake, 67-86. Cambridge: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2009.
"Greim an fhir bháite." Archipelago: A Reader, eds. Nicholas Allen & Fiona Stafford, 21-30. Dublin: Lilliput Press, 2021.
“‘Sagart gan iomrádh’: An tAthair Domhnall Ó Morchadha (1858-1935) agus amhráin Philadelphia” in Litríocht na Gaeilge ar fud an Domhain, eds Máirín Nic Eoin, Ríona Nic Congáil, Pádraig Ó Liatháin, Meidhbhín Ní Úrdail, & Regina Uí Chollatáin, 191-214. Baile Átha Cliath: LeabhairComhar, 2015.
“An tráth seo thiar níor chualas’: ciúnas, coimhthíos, agus imeallú cheol Árann.” In Mo Ghnósa Leas an Dáin: In Omós do Mháirtín Ó Direáin, eds. Meidhbhín Ní Úrdail & Caoimhín Mac Giolla Léith, 151-172. An Daingean: An Sagart, 2014.
“Broadcasting Bailiúchán Bhairbre: Recordings and Radio, Ethnomusicology and Impact.” In Ancestral Imprints: Histories of Irish Traditional Music and Dance, ed. Thérèse Smith, 118-127. Cork: Cork University Press, 2012.
“Séamus Ennis, W.R. Rodgers and Sidney Robertson Cowell on the traditional music of the Aran Islands.” In Anáil an Bhéil Bheo: Orality and Modern Irish Culture, eds. Nessa Cronin, Seán Crosson & John Eastlake, 67-86. Cambridge: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2009.
Conference Proceedings
“Bhíodh muid ag damhsa go maidin: dance, music, and community in Árainn.” Ó Chos go Cluas: From Dancing to Listening, eds. Liz Doherty & Fintan Vallely. Proceedings of the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention 2012, 195-206. Aberdeen: Aberdeen University Press, 2019.
“Ceoltóireacht Oileánda: Scéal Thrí Oileán Árann.” In Ceiliúradh an Bhlascaoid 11 Cuisle Ceoil na nOileán, eds. Dáithí & Mícheál de Mórdha, 69-81. Dublin: Coiscéim, 2008.
“Bhíodh muid ag damhsa go maidin: dance, music, and community in Árainn.” Ó Chos go Cluas: From Dancing to Listening, eds. Liz Doherty & Fintan Vallely. Proceedings of the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention 2012, 195-206. Aberdeen: Aberdeen University Press, 2019.
“Ceoltóireacht Oileánda: Scéal Thrí Oileán Árann.” In Ceiliúradh an Bhlascaoid 11 Cuisle Ceoil na nOileán, eds. Dáithí & Mícheál de Mórdha, 69-81. Dublin: Coiscéim, 2008.
Reviews
“Review: Seoladh Albam Roscanna ón nGrúpa Cuar.” In Spéis: Bulletin of the International Council for Traditional Music, Ireland, eds. Jack Talty & Éamonn Costello, 35-37, http://www.ictm.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Speis-Winter-2017.pdf (2017).
Léirmheas: “Between Two Shores / Idir Dhá Chladach: Writing the Aran Islands, 1890-1980” le Mairéad Conneely (Reimagining Ireland Eag.32, Oxford: Peter Lang, 2011). Comhar (Márta 2012): 26-9.
Review of “Between Two Shores / Idir Dhá Chladach: Writing the Aran Islands, 1890-1980” by Mairéad Conneely. Canadian Journal of Irish Studies 37, nos. 1&2 (2011): 259-261.
Review of “Tomás Ó Canainn Seán Ó Riada – His Life and Work.” Béascna 3 (2006): 126-129.
Review: “Clasaiceach agus Gaelach: Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire le Peadar Ó Riada.” Journal of Music in Ireland 5, no.4 (July/August 2005): 23-24.
“Review: Seoladh Albam Roscanna ón nGrúpa Cuar.” In Spéis: Bulletin of the International Council for Traditional Music, Ireland, eds. Jack Talty & Éamonn Costello, 35-37, http://www.ictm.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Speis-Winter-2017.pdf (2017).
Léirmheas: “Between Two Shores / Idir Dhá Chladach: Writing the Aran Islands, 1890-1980” le Mairéad Conneely (Reimagining Ireland Eag.32, Oxford: Peter Lang, 2011). Comhar (Márta 2012): 26-9.
Review of “Between Two Shores / Idir Dhá Chladach: Writing the Aran Islands, 1890-1980” by Mairéad Conneely. Canadian Journal of Irish Studies 37, nos. 1&2 (2011): 259-261.
Review of “Tomás Ó Canainn Seán Ó Riada – His Life and Work.” Béascna 3 (2006): 126-129.
Review: “Clasaiceach agus Gaelach: Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire le Peadar Ó Riada.” Journal of Music in Ireland 5, no.4 (July/August 2005): 23-24.
Articles
"Greim an fhir bháite." Feasta 73, no.10 (Deireadh Fómhair 2020): 6-11.
“Greim an fhir bháite.” Archipelago 12 (Summer 2019): 25-34. Oxford: Clutag Press.
“Aran Island Pipers.” Journal of Music in Ireland 8, no.1 (Jan/Feb 2008): 18.
"A passion for music: Dublin City Strings School." Journal of Music in Ireland 3, no.6 (2003).
"Greim an fhir bháite." Feasta 73, no.10 (Deireadh Fómhair 2020): 6-11.
“Greim an fhir bháite.” Archipelago 12 (Summer 2019): 25-34. Oxford: Clutag Press.
“Aran Island Pipers.” Journal of Music in Ireland 8, no.1 (Jan/Feb 2008): 18.
"A passion for music: Dublin City Strings School." Journal of Music in Ireland 3, no.6 (2003).
Blog
Sidney Robertson Cowell records in the Aran Islands and Conamara, 1955-56, Irish Traditional Music Archive, 2021, https://www.itma.ie/blog/sidney-robertson-cowell.
Sidney Robertson Cowell records in the Aran Islands and Conamara, 1955-56, Irish Traditional Music Archive, 2021, https://www.itma.ie/blog/sidney-robertson-cowell.
Cur i Láthair - Presentations
Since 2001, I have given 84 invited public presentations and 43 conference presentations in Irish and in English throughout Ireland, in Sweden, Finland, England, and America, as a guest of, among others, the Library of Congress, the Irish-US Embassy, Harvard University, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of Liverpool, Merriman Summer School, Sibelius Academy & the Vasa Museum.