Mná na hÉireann

"Mná na hÉireann"
Song

"Women of Ireland", or "Mná na h-Éireann" in Irish, is a song composed by Seán Ó Riada. The words are written by Peadar Ó Dornín. 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, 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. Kate Bush recorded a Sean nós rendition for the 1996 compilation, Common Ground - The 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.

In film

The Chieftains version of the song features prominently on the soundtrack to Stanley Kubrick's 1975 film Barry Lyndon.

This was also the slow air whistled by Emilio Estevez as Billy the Kid in the 1988 western film, Young Guns.