Rachel Uí Fhaoláin

The Role of Language & Emotive Airs in Traditional Songs: Focusing on Songs Pertaining to Co. Wexford from The Songbooks of An tAthair Pádruig Breathnach (1904-1926). This engaging Presentation|Performance by traditional singer Rachel Uí Fhaoláin will explore the complexities of traditional songs and the role of language & emotive airs as powerful expressions of human experience. Rachel, through her research on the songbooks of An tAthair Pádruig Breathnach (1904-1926) in the Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) has also included a pathway to extend the use of ‘language’ to incorporate Irish Sign Language (ISL) into the visual aspect of her intergenerational traditional song & folklore practice. For Rachel, the sustenance of a tradition relies on the receptiveness of those receiving & carrying it. In 2017, the Irish Sign Language Act was passed, recognising ISL as a language. Rachel is bringing this language, with its own grammatical rules and cultural traditions, into her practice. As an ArtLinks 2025 Bursary Award Recipient from County Wexford Arts Department, Rachel has further developed her research on the collections of An tAthair Pádruig Breathnach with a specific focus on songs pertaining to Co. Wexford.