Sean-nós singing is one of the most precious aspects of Irish traditional music and the Sean-nós singer is the living embodiment of a tradition that stretches far into Irish history. Aisling Gheal is a project run by a team of women in the West Cork Gaeltacht dedicated to maintaining Sean-nós traditions and attracting new followers. Amongst them is 10-year-old Shahira Apraku who attends the local Gaelscoil and attends singing classes led by renowned singer and teacher Máire Ní Chéileachair. Shahira’s journey, the struggles of the women, the songs of the Sean-nós and the flow of the Sullane river provide parallel intersecting narrative vehicles for this documentary, yielding insights into this part of Irish culture and challenging some key contemporary notions of ‘Irishness’ in the process.

Notes by Sunniva O’Flynn.