Kinvara-based singer vows to Let it Happen

KINVARA-based singer Maeve Cairney has realised her dream by releasing her first CD, Let it Happen.
The CD contains a collection of the songs that she loves listening to and singing, spanning a range of genres, including classical pieces, Scottish and Irish ballads and songs from the musicals.
The Dublin woman, her husband, Hugh, and two sons, Declan and Ruairi, moved to Caherglassaun, near Kinvara in 2006 and Maeve took up a job as an entertainer for Shannon Heritage in Dunguaire Castle, Kinvara. She is a regular contributor to the many music sessions in venues in Kinvara. Maeve developed her vocal range having first studied at the Bel Canto School of Singing and then performing with Lyric Opera Chorus and the Cantible Singers in Dublin. She is currently a member of the Quay Singers and regularly sings as a cantor in Galway Cathedral.
Maeve is launching her CD in Johnston’s Hall, Kinvara this Saturday at 8.30pm, where she will also perform a launch gig.
She says that she grew up singing and being encouraged to sing.
“My father, Michael Horan, is a fantastic singer. He is always the first one asked to sing at a party. My mum, Marie, loves music and is always listening to music. She is a lovely singer too. Family parties and get-togethers always end up as sing-songs. My parents always encouraged me to sing and taught me from a very young age that when someone asks you to sing, it’s out of respect for the person that you should oblige. So singing has always been a big part of my life,” she explains.
She grew up in Finglas and was in the school choir. She also sang in the Finglas West Folk Group, the Catholic Guides of Ireland Folk Group, the Cantible Singers, the Lyric Opera Chorus and the Rosnaree Church Choir.
“Working as an entertainer in Dunguaire Castle is my first professional work as a singer and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to do what I love as my job. I have also sung at weddings and funerals but in Dunguaire during the summer season, I get to sing five nights a week, which is tiring but truly enjoyable,” she adds.
Maeve says that each winter while the castle is closed, she takes on a project. “Last winter, I set up bringing out my CD. Next winter, I will work at performing more gigs and concerts. I am lucky to live in South Galway because there is a huge demand for gigs and music of all kinds in the South Galway and North Clare regions. My plan is to hit the road within a certain radius of where I’m based and gig a lot,” the singer explains.
Let it Happen has been available for sale since the start of May and her first sales were during the Kinvara Fleadh na gCuach, where she sang at the opening. Maeve would love to record another CD but admits that the cost of doing so make it difficult.
“I’ve been asked about doing a CD of Christmas songs, which I may well do, but definitely not for this Christmas. I would also love to record a CD of only Irish songs. Who knows? I will wait and see what the coming year brings and work from there. I want to concentrate on performing more often first, while the castle is closed during the winter season.”
Maeve’s CD features Newmarket-on-Fergus musician, Martina King, on harp and piano and Kinvara-based Peter Brazier on acoustic guitar, mandolin and piano, as well as Paul Corbett on violin.