Jig Away the Donkey: Music and Song of South Ulster Lughnasa Music ***

This collection casts a net across the musical landscape that stretches from south Donegal to north Louth, taking into its gabháil the riches of Fermanagh, Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal. Unlike the much- vaunted regional style of say, Sliabh Luachra, south Ulster's musical accent has rarely sought out the limelight – until now. Fiddler Gerry O'Connor has a pristine style, deeply attentive to mood and colour, and here he brings a magical sensibility to many tunes rarely corralled in a studio. Apart from the title tune), there are some beautifully executed sets, such as My Mind Will Never Be 'Aisy,which thrives on the genteel inter-stitching of McArdle's concertina, Quinn's discreet accordion and O'Connor's fiddle. The songs are a hardier proposition, delivered in that trademark no-nonsense style also beloved of McArdle's fellow Fermanagh singer, Cathal McConnell. See south ulstermusic.com