Macalla - Mna Na Heireann - Women Of Ireland

(2009 re-release of 1984 recording)

Mna na hEireann is a collection of songs and tunes which celebrates a musical adventure which began in Dublin in 1984. It was then that more than twenty women came together to express their music and their creativity as a group. No better day for it than March 8th, International Women's Day.

This was the first time in the history of Irish traditional music, or indeed the first time worldwide, that such a group came into existence. Although all the women were based in Dublin they brought with them music from all parts of the country adding richness and interest to the overall sound of the band.

They came from Clare, Galway, Wexford, Meath, Westmeath, Donegal, Belfast, Dublin, Kerry, and Cork. Having been invited by Gael Linn to record, much thought and energy were put into the choice of music and song for this collection.

Most of the women in Macalla were not well-known on the music scene when the band came together in 1984. Thankfully, such is not the case today!

Everyone knows Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh who has earned international fame with Altan. No less well known is Mairin Fahy who has toured the world with Riverdance. Mary MacNamara founded her own music school in County Clare where she hands on the tradition to the younger generation.

Catherine McEvoy is one of the world's finest exponents of traditional flute playing whilst Mary Corcoran plays with the hugely popular Templehouse Ceili Band. Patsy Broderick has rightly earned her place as one of the best piano players in Irish traditional music. She was a also member of the well-known band Arcady.

Joan McDermott went on to form another all-woman band The Fallen Angels with whom she travelled all over Europe and she is currently a member of Providence. Seosaimhin Ni Bheaglaioch has forged a very successful career in broadcasting. She is also a wonderful sean no's singer and has recorded a solo album for Gael Linn, Ar Thaobh na Greine.

Since 1984 many of the members of Macalla have toured the world and recorded with various bands whereas others have opted to stay closer to home; they have all, nonetheless, remained true to the music.