Máiréad was born to a musical family and has played the piano since the age… Read Full Bio ↴Máiréad was born to a musical family and has played the piano since the age of four. She is better known for her wonderful technique playing Classical and Celtic music on the fiddle, however.

Máiréad joined the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in 1991 and from 1996 to 1998 was the lead fiddler on Michael Flatley’s Lord of Dance. She then was lead fiddler on Feet of Flames until 2001, when she released her debut solo album, Raining Up. In 2004 she was invited to play the violin for the Celtic Woman ensemble, which became a huge success.

Máiréad is a Fleadh Cheoil all-Ireland fiddle champion, and, in 2003, was named by Irish Music Magazine as Best Traditional Female.

An Raibh Tú Ag An Gcarraig?
Máiréad Nesbitt Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

An raibh tú ar an gcarraig?
Nó an bhfaca tú féin mo ghrá?
Nó an bhfaca tú gile agus finne
Agus scéimh na mná?
Nó an bhfaca tú an t-úll
Ba chumhra a's ba mhilse bláth?
Nó an bhfaca tú mo vailintín?
Nó a' bhfuil sí dá cloí mar 'táim?

Do bhíos ag an gcarraig
A's do chonaic mé féin do ghrá
Do chonaic mé gile agus finne
Agus scéimh na mná
Do chonaic mé an t-úll
Ba chumhra a's ba mhilse bláth

A's do chonaic mé do vailintín
Agus níl sí dá cloí mar táir

Overall Meaning

In "An Raibh Tú Ag An Gcarraig," Máiréad Nesbitt sings about searching for her love among the rocky cliffs and apple orchards. The chorus asks whether the person she is seeking was on the rock, if they saw her own love, the beauty of the women, or the sweetness of the ripest apple. Or if they saw her valentine and whether the person is faithful to her.

The verses describe the singer's experience in search of her love. She was at the rock, where she saw her love, the beauty of the women, and the ripe apple's sweetness. She also saw her valentine and doubts her fidelity to her.

The song's lyrics are written in the Irish language, and the melody is a traditional Irish tune. This song beautifully captures traditional Irish music's essence and resonates with those familiar with Irish culture. It's a complicated and emotional song that enchants listeners with its hauntingly beautiful melody and lyrics.

Line by Line Meaning

An raibh tú ar an gcarraig?
Did you happen to be on the rock?

Nó an bhfaca tú féin mo ghrá?
Or did you even see my love?

Nó an bhfaca tú gile agus finne
Or did you see the brightness and fairness

Agus scéimh na mná?
And the beauty of the woman?

Nó an bhfaca tú an t-úll
Or did you see the apple

Ba chumhra a's ba mhilse bláth?
That was the sweetest and most fragrant blossom?

Nó an bhfaca tú mo vailintín?
Or did you see my valentine?

Nó a' bhfuil sí dá cloí mar 'táim?
Or is she faithfully clinging to me?

Do bhíos ag an gcarraig
I was at the rock

A's do chonaic mé féin do ghrá
And I myself saw your love

Do chonaic mé gile agus finne
I saw the brightness and fairness