A thousand years before genetics became a buzzword, our ancestors had a saying to cover the process: "is treise dúchas ná oiliúint". - "instinct is stronger than education" (Ó Duinnín) or "instinct is stronger than upbringing" (Ó Dónaill). "Dúchas" and "oiliúint" - what happens when musicians have both? The answer is in this CD.

We would need a very sophisticated time machine to go back to the source of their musical talent but one name from their ancestry is always mentioned - Peatín Phádraig Mháirtín (Connolly) from Feenish Island, their mother's uncle. He died in 1941. His music was never recorded.

Suíomh Mharcais Uí Iarnáin

As far as "oiliúnt" goes, how could it have been better? Theirs was the house where Séamus Ennis stayed while making his wonderful collection of folklore and music in the most interesting parish in Ireland. Their father and mother encouraged them. They have travelled, listened and learned. It was an essential part of their upbringing. Who could ever forget the night their sister Máirín danced in the competition we organized in An Spidéal....how eloquently she spoke, after taking first prise, of her mother's influence on her dancing.....

Let us be proud of the Hernons' musical achievements. To my way of thinking they are beacons of hope in a world of chancers and exhibitionists.

Tá sé déanta aríst agaibh, a mhuintir Iarnáin. Mar déarfadh bhur gcara agus bur gcomhcheoltóir, Tommy Phat Phatch, :"an scoth..." Scoth an cheoil as tobar an dúchais. Téagar agus croíúlacht, agus mar a bharr ar an slacht, ár gcumadóir ceoil féin sa deireadh - Sibelius Roisín na Mainíoch!

(Seosamh Ó Cuaig: Nótaí ar dhluth dhiosca "An Chearc Fhraoigh"; 2000)