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I am not Irish.
This is not a collection of Irish songs, but a collection of songs ABOUT Ireland.
I started visiting Ireland five summers ago and now it has become my yearly vacation.
I usually take a bicycle tour along the West Coast of Clare, Galway City and Connemara mixed in with hikes and visits to Mayo, Dublin, Wicklow, Aran Islands and the Dingle Peninsula.
It is my nature to absorb the history of places I visit and it is also my nature to translate that found fabric into songs and poetry.
(Horses of the Sea) "a beautiful collection of songs and stories about Ireland. It’s a wonderful album, and one that has become a fast favourite on this radio show."
(Jan Hall, Folk Roots Radio)
(Horses of the Sea) "And a terrific set of songs it is, delivered with panache and emotion. Songs of ancient kings and not so ancient conflicts."
(les siemieniuk, Penguin Eggs magazine)
(Horses of the Sea) "Wonderful CD"
(Austin Comerton, Irish Radio Canada interview)
(Horses of the Sea) "Was I supposed to cry ALL the way through? Absolutely beautiful Doug!"
(Dale Barcellos - Avalanche Choir, San Jose CA)
All songs by Doug McArthur.
“The Lake Isle of Innisfree” by W. B. Yeats.
A note on pronunciation of "Cú Chulainn".
This is variable according to translation and regional pronunciations.
I tried to take a middle road.
Piano: Jeffra (Letter to Marie) Whistle & Accordion: Tom Leighton
Bass: Pat Maher (The Morning I Left Galway) Recorded at Wakefield Sound & Light
except Letter To Marie originally engineered by Dan Brodbeck
Thanks to John Heagney Cycle Holidays Ireland
Scroll down to watch my photo slideshow of Ireland while you listen
