Coal miner’s daughter releases debut single about mining life in Arigna

Aoife Duignan is a 21-year-old singer and musician, hailing from the small village of Arigna in North Roscommon. She has previously competed in ITV's The Voice Kids and won Teenstars Ireland at the age of 15.

The song Arigna was created when Aoife inspired Michael McKenna, a local songwriter and classmate at the Traditional Irish Music course in Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim to write her an original song. Knowing of Aoife’s great love and respect for the traditions of her homeplace (Aoife’s Dad, Dominic worked as a miner in Arigna Mines), he wrote Arigna as a homage to the great tradition of coal mining in the area, as well as Aoife’s pride in her homeplace.

The song was very well received when performed at local sessions and concerts, encouraging Aoife and Michael to go into Vibes Studio in Drumshanbo to record it with the help of other musicians on the course: Mossie Martin, Course Tutor and well-known fiddler, and flute player Holly Bidgood. The video to promote the song and the area was also recorded and is now ready for release.

Arigna went live on all streams on Saturday last, 2nd March 2024 and the Video and Single will be officially launched at the Arigna Mining Experience on Sunday 24th March 2024 by well-known playwright and RTE broadcaster Vincent Woods.