It also includes Manchester-born piper and flute player Michael McGoldrick and Annbjørg Lien, a member of String Sisters, with whom Mairéad plays fiddle and sings.

A limited edition, lovingly produced by Mairéad and Manus Lunny, with a bespoke design quality, Imeall is exactly that: a snapshot of an artist on the brink of something new, of terrain yet to be travelled.

This is music made for the sake of the art, for the magic of being in the moment making an unforgettable noise or for the sheer pleasure of telling a story eloquently through song.

"[2] Imeall received a rather positive review from UK Folk Music website's critic Pete Fyfe, stating: "There are [here] spirited renditions of the Gaelic song "Gardaí 'n Rí" with its riff and percussion driven sound and the fiddle led instrumental set-piece "Highlands / Red Crow" for those wishing a quick jig around the table in Pat Cohen's pub from The Quiet Man.

"[3] In the May–June 2009 issue of (French magazine) Trad' Mag, folk critic Philippe Cousin awarded Imeall full marks (giving the album a "Bravo!!!"

In June 2009, Ní Mhaonaigh's debut album, Imeall, received a warm review from The Irish Echo's website, stating: "Mairead's composition in memory of her father, "An Fidleoir," conveys tender emotion through subtle ornamentation.

[5][8] It is known that Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh played live at her 2008–2012 solo shows (at least one time) the following tracks: "Gardaí 'n Rí", "An Fidleoir", "Néillí Bhán",[9] "Mazurkas", "Mo Níon Ó".

The tune/song "Dobbin's Flowery Vale" has become synonymous with Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh's late husband Frankie Kennedy who died of cancer on 19 September 1994.