A question of taste: Kerry singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh

Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh is a singer and musician from Corca Dhuibhne in Co Kerry.

“I’m mother to two little girls and wife to Billy. We live up the side of a hill now looking out to sea and Mount Brandon but I have spent many years on the road, both with the group Danu and as a solo artist.”

Muireann is currently touring with Scottish singer Siobhan Miller and a number of other musicians, and will play tomorrow at Ionad Cultúrtha, Baile Mhúirne, Co Cork; and Saturday at Birr Theatre.

Best recent book you’ve read:

Note to Self by Emilie Pine.

Best recent film:

A Quiet Place.

Best recent show/gig you’ve seen:

I saw my pal Jack O’Rourke sing at Other Voices and he was fantastic.

Best piece of music you’ve been listening to lately (new or old):

I’m lucky to be listening to so much music lately as I have a new radio show Malairt Poirt le Muireann on Radió na Gaeltachta on Saturday nights. I play mostly traditional and acoustic music from Ireland and abroad but something I cannot stop listening to is Rosalía, a Catalan singer who sings what is called nuevo flamenco mixed with pop and hip-hop. I hear she is about to collaborate with James Blake who is one of my favourite producers so I’m excited for that.

Money is no object — which instrument would you buy, and why?

Can I buy someone else’s voicebox? Just for a change.

First ever piece of music or gig that really moved you:

My Dad playing ‘Port na bPúcaí’ on the fiddle.

The best gig or show you’ve ever seen (if you had to pick one!):

I saw Séamus Begley and Steve Cooney as much as possible in the late 1990s around the time Meitheal came out. I hero-worshipped them. Still do!

Tell us about your TV viewing:

Sci-fi mostly, things to do with the end of the world or other worlds. I have no idea why.

Radio listening and/or podcasts:

I listen to a lot of current affairs, I think I got that from Dad who used to have a radio blaring in every room when I was a kid. I listen to too much Trump stuff before I go to sleep; it drives my husband insane.

You’re curating your dream festival — which three artists are on the bill, living or dead?

Paul Brady and Andy Irvine; Nirvana; Daft Punk.

Your best celebrity encounter:

Dolores O’Riordan when I was about 13 or 14 and she was so nice to me and my friends. I nearly died,I was such a huge fan.

You can portal back to any period of human cultural history or music event — where, when, and why?

The Lisdoonvarna festival in the late 1970s/early ‘80s sounded pretty nuts. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall at that.

Do you have any interesting ancestors or family?

Well my Dad was a priest and my Mam was an actress and they met when doing a play together — so there’s that, I suppose!

Unsung hero — individual or group you think don’t get the profile/praise they deserve:

An Taisce.

You are queen for a day — what’s your first decree?

Acht Teanga don dTuaisceart.