Women of Ireland

For Mike Oldfield's rendition, see Women of Ireland (Mike Oldfield instrumental). For Sarah Brightman's version, see So Many Things.

"Women of Ireland"
Song by Ceoltóirí Chualann from the album O'Riada Sa Gaiety
Genre	Irish rebel music
Language	English/Irish
Writer	Peadar Ó Dornín
Composer	Seán Ó Riada
Cover versions
The Chieftains and Na Connerys Alan Stivell Mike Oldfield Sinéad O'Connor Kate Bush Ronnie Montrose Bob James Sarah Brightman The Christians Davey Graham Helene Segara Sharon Corr Jeff Beck Nolwenn Leroy

"Women of Ireland", or "Mná na hÉireann" in Irish, is a song composed by Seán Ó Riada (1931–1971). The poem, on which the music is based, was written by Peadar Ó Dornín (?1704–1769). Usually it falls under the category of Irish rebel music. It honours the memory of the women dedicated to Ireland, specifically the Irish nationalist movement.

Recordings

It was first recorded by Ceoltóirí Chualann, with lead vocal by Sean O Sé (on the 1969 live album O'Riada Sa Gaiety), then later done instrumentally by The Chieftains and Na Connerys.

Alan Stivell has made another version, sung in Irish, accompanying himself with a metal strung Celtic harp, on his 1995 album Brian Boru. Mike Oldfield made another version of the song on his 1996 album, Voyager.^[1] Kate Bush recorded a rendition for the 1996 compilation, Common Ground - Voices of Modern Irish Music. Guitarist Ronnie Montrose recorded an instrumental version for his 1986 recording Territory. The song was also arranged by Bob James and included in his 1976 album Bob James Three.

Sinéad O'Connor recorded a version for the 1995 compilation CD, Ain't Nuthin' But a She Thing, in connection with a multi-artist television special for MTV.

Sarah Brightman also made her version which is called "So Many Things" on her album Eden released in 1998. Brightman also performed the song at her One Night in Eden concert, recorded at Sun City, South Africa, later released on DVD. Another version of this song, with the name of "Words", was recorded in 1989 by the English soul band The Christians. This song reached the No. 18 position in the UK Singles Chart.

French singer Nolwenn Leroy also recorded her own version on her album Bretonne, released on December 6, 2010.^[2]

Live performances

The song is also a frequently played song at concerts. One example of a notable act performing "Women of Ireland" is guitarist Jeff Beck, who at times performs it with Irish violinist Sharon Corr. It also appears on her first solo album, Dream of You.

Use in media

"Women of Ireland" has been used in various media, primarily in film and television. Such examples include:

• The Chieftains version of the song features prominently on the soundtrack to Stanley Kubrick's 1975 film Barry Lyndon.
• Soundtrack of a Levi's jeans advertisement.
• This was also the slow air whistled by Emilio Estevez as Billy the Kid in the 1988 western film, Young Guns.
• An instrumental version of the song was used as background music in the 2009 BBC documentary about the mixed fortunes of the Harris Tweed industry.
• An adaptation of the Chieftains version is featured in Carl Colpaert's 2010 film The Land of the Astronauts.
• Used in courtship scene of Robin & Marion in Ridley Scott's 2010 film Robin Hood.

References

1. ^ "Singles". Amadian. http://www.amadian.net/singles1.htm. Retrieved 2009-03-01. 
2. ^ "Nolwenn Leroy - Bretonne". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.fr/Bretonne-Nolwenn-Leroy/dp/B004AYHZEG. Retrieved 2011-01-10.