Meath Chronicle 2011

Meath Chronicle 2011
Published: Wednesday, 25th May, 2011 5:00pm
Music for the soul from Moynalty songstress
by John Donohoe
Moynalty’s Deirdre Shannon (Gilsenan) has launched her second album, ‘Anamceol’, music for the soul, following on from the tremendous success of her award winning first album. Deirdre who hails from a well-known farming family near Kells, is granddaughter of Mattie Gilsenan, the last surviving member and captain of the 1939 Meath senior footballteam.
She has been described as having ‘one of the purest voices around’ by her Lord of the Dance colleague and mentor, Michael Flatley. The new CD is a collection of early Irish and Scottish traditional songs about love, nature and mythology, sung for a contemporary audience.
Songs include ‘Down by the Sally Garden’, ‘Silent O Moyle’, ‘Song for Ireland’ and the ‘Maid of Culmore’, to name just a few.
She said: “I have always been a lover of songs that speak to the heart – whether they be of love, lost love or just simple things like nature. Our rich Irish heritage offers plenty where these themes are concerned. On my travels in the US, I am continually asked for renditions of old Irish songs.
This album is an intentionally personal offering and hence my title Anamceol, music for the soul.”
Deirdre has always had a deep love and natural instinct for music and is classically trained at Dublin’s College of Music.
Beginning in 1996, her professional career was kick-started when she was welcomed into the exclusive Irish choir Anúna, and later with the US hit show Celtic Woman where she soon became a prominent soloist in concerts all over the US and Europe. In 1997, she was chosen by Michael Flatley to be the soloist in his smash hit sensation Lord of the Dance. Cast in the role of Erin the Goddess she continues to perform extensively in the Americas and in Europe.
She has recently toured Russia where she sang in Red Square, Moscow to over 10,000 people.
Her last album ‘Deirdre Shannon’ rendered highly acclaimed songs such as ‘She Moved Through The Fair’ and ‘The Prayer’, won her awards for both track and album of the year.
Deirdre’s latest album is available online from her website at www.deirdreshannon.com
Article Referenced from The Meath Chronicle
Meath-Chronicle-5-25-11