Episode 3: Aistear an Amhráin – Mná Na hÉireann
Tuesday 19th of September, 7pm, RTÉ One
Is the hauntingly beautiful Mná Na hÉireann an ode to the women of Ireland, or a crude and denigrating song that objectifies women? Mná Na hÉireann is one of Ireland’s most recognisable and beloved songs. It has been used in several movies and performed by everyone from The Chieftain’s to Sinead O’Connor.
The music was composed by Séan Ó Riada in 1969 and legendary Cork sean-nós singer Seán Ó Sé was the first to ever sing it, accompanied by Ceoltóirí Chualann at the now-legendary concert Ó Riada sa Gaiety. ‘When Séan Ó Riada composed that tune, I think in a way, that he was paying homage to the musicians of old… It’s very clever, and very appealing,’ according to sean-nós singer and academic Lillis Ó Laoire. Since then, numerous Irish and international musicians have recorded Mná Na hÉireann.
Some, like The Christians, assumed it was a traditional Irish air they could use freely. According to Seán Ó Sé, the English band ‘wanted proof that Seán Ó Riada composed the music. And I remembered that there was a programme for the night of ‘Ó Riada Sa Gaiety’, and I rummaged around and found one that I had. They accepted it and paid the royalties.’
Kate Bush, whose mother was Irish, sang the song on a compilation album produced by Dónal Lunny. He remembers that ‘it was a real handful for her to take on, she pulled out all the stops. I would write out all the lyrics in Irish, but phonetically for her, but she was really determined to get as close as she possibly could to it.’
Mná Na hÉireann has been performed at many official events, like Queen Elizabeth’s visits to
Ireland in 2011, and the song has, in recent years, almost become an ode to Irish women. Sinéad Ní Churnáin travels to Baile Mhúirne to meet Cór Ban Cúil Aodha to hear why they decided to record the song. But despite the hauntingly beautiful melody, there are dark undertones to the lyrics, which might well surprise people.
So, does this mean we shouldn’t be singing Mná Na hÉireann today? Composer Peadar ó Riada, son of Seán, believes ‘what people heard was the beautiful melody. And then a few phrases here and there about this beautiful woman, and another one and so on. They thought it was all in praise of women. No one was listening to the lyrics.’ Musician and broadcaster Doireann Ní Ghlacáin, granddaughter of Séan Ó Riada, always thought that ‘the song was about how beautiful she was. But then when we go a little deeper into the story, that’s when I believe the song starts to get interesting.’
In this episode of Aistear an Amhráin we discover the fascinating back story of Mná Na hÉireann, as well as new renditions of the song by Cór Ban Cúil Aodha, Dónal Lunny and Nollaig Ní Chathasaigh.
