I was lucky enough to see a performance of Lisa Lambe's Nightvisiting in the enchanting surroundings of Kylemore Abbey, Co. Galway in August 2025. Informed by her meticulous research in UCD's National Folklore Collection, Lisa brings her insights as an artist and captivating power as a performer to conjure an extraordinary night at the theatre. This show has the power to reimagine our song and storytelling traditions for a new generation.
Watching this work was an extraordinary experience. Hearing it in Irish and English seemed to carry us through time, connecting us to stories from long ago that still resonate today, and to a real sense of togetherness, community and spirit.
I think the concept of the show was in the tradition of the great literary revival, combining music, folklore and story, drawing on the heritage of Yeats and Synge, and bringing a new life, almost a new slant, to the idea of a literary, artistic and musical revival. It carried these stories to a new generation, and expressed these thoughts through music, dialogue and speech in a way that felt both balanced and sublime. A beautiful experience.