Nóirín Ní Riain

Nóirín writes new book, ‘Theosony’

robbi — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 15:20:05 +0000

Irish spiritual singer and Christian scholar, Nóirín Ní Riain proposes a rich imaginative, refreshing new way of listening for and interpreting the Divine ‘sound of sheer silence’. From Socrates, through Abraham, Jesus Christ, Patrick to you, the most powerful connection between humanity and the Divine was and is through the ear. True listening is the deepest, most ancient form of prayer and Nóirín, in creating a new word for this powerful prayer method – theosony – offers new ways of listening out for the essential medicine for our times, the Transcendent, the Absolute God. — Brendan Kennelly

Theosony: Towards a Theology of Listening is published by Columba Press. Stay tuned for more information, and keep an eye on Nóirín’s blog in the coming days…

Nóirín to sing for the Dalai Lama

robbi — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 00:56:56 +0000

Internationally renowned singer and academic Nóirín Ní Riain is to sing on two occasions for His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama on his visit to Ireland this coming April.

The Dalai Lama visits Dublin on Wednesday 13th April and Limerick Thursday April 14th. Nóirín has been invited to sing at both occasions. For the Dublin event at Citywest Conference Centre, she has been invited to conclude His Holiness’ address with a blessing in song after which the XIV Dalai Lama will leave the platform. Nóirín will lead the assembly in a traditional Irish chant from Donegal and will be joined by her son, Moley (Mícheál P.), who will play bodhrán.

The following morning, Thursday April 14th, Nóirín will sing with the Benedictine monks of Glenstal Abbey for the packed UL arena of 3,000 people before His Holiness arrives at 10am. They will sing two hymns; one a Lenten hymn of forgiveness from the Gregorian Chant tradition, Attende Domine (picking up on the theme of the Dalai Lama’s address which is on the Power of Forgiveness) and Nóirín will lead the schola in a traditional religious hymn also on the theme of forgiveness: Gol na dTrí Mhuire.

Nóirín has a lovely statement about these, her third and fourth time performing for His Holiness respectively, which she posted on her blog last night! For more information, drop Nóirín and her wee team an email.

Singing for the Dalai Lama..

robbi — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 19:01:06 +0000

It is a huge, humbling blessing to be invited to sing at this extremely important visit to Ireland of His Holiness, the XIV Dalai Lama at this troubled time, spiritually and economically, in our land.

I have had that marvelous honour twice in the past of singing in the presence of this contemporary saint and spiritual healer and the powerful memory has lingered since. Because unlike any other performance invitation, I know that I am simply there not for any personal, ego-centered achievement, but purely to mark this beautiful occasion in Irish spiritual song and prayer for the entire gathering. Truly, this moment is the work of the Great Holy Spirit for all concerned…

God be with you,

Nóirín running teachers’ weeks

robbi — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:55:13 +0000

Nóirín Ní Riain will be running “Teachers’ Weeks” for primary teachers and their friends at the stunning Glenstal Abbey estate in Murroe, Limerick. These weeks are designed to de-stress and encourage soul searching in order to find calm before returning to the classroom. Registered by the Department of Education, teachers are ensured their 3 days leave for the special days. For further information on both weeks (25-29th July & 15-19 August), please visit Nóirín’s events page, or click on ‘Events‘ above.

Places are limited, so early booking is advised!

To stressed educators…

robbi — Sun, 09 May 2010 01:03:05 +0000

Attention! All you stressed out primary teachers (or friends of theirs) at this time of the year! Come and chill out with me here in Glenstal Abbey in a week that promises to be good for the soul and body.

This is my fourth year running these weeks registered by the Department of Education (so you get your three days leave!) and honestly, the feedback has been unanimously completely, one-hundred per cent positive.

This is an experience so different, so refreshing to all the other courses on offer to you because we focus totally on YOU, caring for yourself and your soul and renewing your drooping spirits to recharge the spiritual batteries for the coming year.

We will spend our week together gently balancing heart and head work in all sorts of ways. We will explore the magnificent sacred estate of Glenstal Abbey, visit the powerfully moving Icon chapel here, experience the transforming silence and chant together.

No particular talent is required simply bring an open mind to the sure stirrings of the Holy Spirit!

So sign up now because our places are limited; contact me, n@theosony.com or phone 061-621004.

Nóirín on MySpace / Autobiography now in Australia

robbi — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:53:44 +0000

Nóirín is now on MySpace! We are deciding which tracks to add, so if you have any suggestions please leave a comment on the new profile.

Nóirín’s autobiography, ‘Listen with the Ear of the Heart’ is now available worldwide in hardback and paperback. We hope you enjoy the book, and that you can relate to certain aspects of it. Nóirín’s personal account of her life has been a lifetime in the making; from her first time hearing the Monks of Glenstal Abbey to being told by Pilib Ó Laoghaire that she had to sing rather than study law, the autobiography is a stunning account of one singer’s journey through this world. You can read a chapter over at Veritas.ie or buy/preview the book at the following stores:

Ireland: Hardback
UK: Hardback
US: Hardback
AUS: Paperback

To all who have written…

robbi — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:59:50 +0000

A chroíthe,
Thank you so much to everyone who has written to me over the past few weeks about ‘Listen with the Ear of the Heart’. I felt so vulnerable and fragile beforehand. It is so different to the experience of birthing a sound recording of singing. Yes, there is a nervousness too around that but you are still protected by a shroud of anonymity which expressing yourself verbally has no such shelter. So, although the tender, unprotected apprehensions never let up and wane, your true responses touched me deeply and will forever sing in my heart’s ear.

I want, in humility, to share with you just one of these moments with you.

Libby Hart is a beautiful, young, gifted Australian poet whom I met when we both shared a residency in Annaghmakerrig artist’s retreat in September 2008. I was in the throes of writing LEH and although we did not share that much time or thoughts together, somehow there was a bond of previous, mysterious connection between us.

Off she went on line and ordered her book. I quote some few fragments from a very rich, inspired tightly typed four pages which arrived here by post one glorious Autumn morning last week and was carefully folded into an exquisite Japanese kimono design card of a flock of swans winging their way over land and sea.

Even this image sang to me and I knew that this gosling in me was now a fully fledged swan, ‘with long legs and sturdy feet’ and with no choice but to keep flying!

“Where do I begin? ‘Listen with the Ear of the Heart’ is a glorious book. I walked around absent-mindedly during the days I was reading it because your words and ideas stayed so vividly with me… It is now well and truly out in the world, but it has long, elegant legs and sturdy feet. It stands so tall. It is a vision, both rare and graceful. Full of spirit and Spirit. Full of love and compassion. Full of sound and full of silences – both sacred and tender. ‘Listen’ is so full of life and of wit. I laughed. I cried. I was profoundly inspired. I shall always sing its praises. You have written something truly magnificent.’ L. xo”

What a relief each of your words have been.

Autobiography gets Limerick launch!

robbi — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:53:04 +0000

Following the huge success of the Dublin launch of Nóirín Ní Riain’s ‘LISTEN WITH THE EAR OF THE HEART’, her life-story, Veritas are now launching it in Limerick!

The event will take place on December 8th 2009 at 6pm at Daghdha Space, St. John’s Square, John’s Street in the city and will be launched by Dr. Loretta Brennan Glucksman, chairman of The American Ireland Fund.

Not to be missed with special performances from Nóirín herself, A.M.E.N. trio and Size2Shoes. Wonderful finger food and December mulled wine will be served on the night.

RSVP Amanda Conlon-McKenna • T 01-8788177
amanda.conlonmckenna@veritas.ie

Nóirín to publish autobiography

robbi — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 00:52:06 +0000

Nóirín Ní Riain is to launch her official autobiography next month. ‘Listen with the Ear of the Heart: An Autobiography’ (Veritas Publications) has been a very long time in the making. The stunning account from Nóirín herself on her childhood growing up right up to her current career and renowned performances will be launched on October 15th 2009 at 6pm at St Stephen’s Church (The Pepper Canister Church), Mount Street Crescent, Upper Mount Street, Dublin 2.

Everyone is welcome to attend this one-time event, to speak with Nóirín and to listen to the words of Anne Harris (Deputy Editor of the Sunday Independent) launching the book. Performances from A.M.E.N and size2shoes.

RSVP Amanda Conlon-McKenna • T 01-8788177
amanda.conlonmckenna@veritas.ie

Nóirín Ní Riain and Sheila Chandra – Divine Voices

robbi — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:50:39 +0000

Nóirín Ní Riain will perform a very special concert in London with Sheila Chandra. Amen will also perform at this event as part of Holloway Arts Festival on 28th June 2009. More information on the event in the stunning, acoustic setting of Union Chapel, London, is available on the ‘Events’ page. This will prove to be a very precious evening for all fans of Nóirín, Amen, Sheila, world music and chant. More info here.