Years ago, I read a book of Irish fairy stories while I was touring Ireland with my dear friend, Sara. I don't remember the title or author of the book, but it was recollections by a man who lived in the middle country who related stories he'd heard as a boy from people who allegedly had personal encounters with the Fair Folk. Many of the stories centered around a tree-ringed fairy mound called Lis Ard, and despite the lack of obvious directions, Sara and I used the clues in the book and searched for two days before finding it and, with the landowner's permission, hiking out to the mysterious hill where we enjoyed a sunset and soaked in the atmosphere of our surroundings. (For the record, I suggested we divest ourselves of all iron in our pockets, since iron keys and coins are proof against the fairies, and take our chances in the magical ring; Sara strongly vetoed the idea.)

So, at some point on my travels I picked up a copy of Liss Ard, a compilation album recorded in Ireland I thought might have something to do with that mystic mound. Then I forgot about it ... until now.

Well, it has nothing to do with Lis Ard. Liss Ard is the name of a charitable foundation in Skibbereen, County Cork, dedicated to developing a nature preserve on 40 acres of pristine woodlands, meadows and marshes in West Cork. The album was recorded at or near a 1997 music festival at the site to raise money for its preservation. (It's not quite clear if any of the tracks were recorded at the festival itself; some at least were completed in a studio.)

So, not what I thought after all. Still, it goes to a good cause! And, while the track list only touches briefly on Irish traditional music, there's a lot of good stuff here, including tracks by Patti Smith, The Frames, Nick Cave, Iarla O'Lionaird, David Gray and Jack Lukeman. To be honest, there's nothing on Liss Ard, Vol. 1 that held my attention for repeated listenings, but I imagine some folks would really enjoy this album.