Noelle O’Sullivan releases ‘Tumbleweed’ from her upcoming album ‘Rolling on the Inside’

Noelle O’Sullivan releases ‘Tumbleweed’ from her upcoming album ‘Rolling on the Inside’

Limerick alternative folk artist, Noelle O’Sullivan, releases ‘Tumbleweed’, the lead track from her forthcoming album

Glin native, Noelle O’Sullivan has released her latest single, ‘Tumbleweed‘, a powerful track from her upcoming album ‘Rolling on the Inside’.

The single was marked on its release with a special performance as part of Culture Night 2025 on September 19 at St John’s Theatre, Listowel.

Tumbleweed is a powerful anthem that echoes the struggles faced by those affected by the mother and baby home tragedy in Ireland. The single pays tribute to Philomena Lee and her son, Anthony, a story which was portrayed in the oscar-nominated ‘Philomena’. 

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Written and performed by O’Sullivan, the track reflects on the injustices suffered by women and children in Ireland’s Mother and Baby Homes, weaving historical weight into a deeply human narrative.

Speaking about the song and lyrics, Noelle said, “I was inspired to write this song after seeing the movie Philomena, which is about a woman from Newcastlewest, Co Limerick, who was forced to sign adoption papers for her three-year-old son Anthony while in a mother and baby home in Sean Ross Abbey, Roscrea, Co Tipperary. 

“She spent the next 50 years searching for her son who was in America and Anthony was searching for his mother but to no avail. He made numerous attempts to get information on his mother at the Abbey and so too did his mother but both were denied every time. His last wishes were that his remains be buried at the Abbey in the hope that his mother might find him there, which she eventually did.”

She said, “It’s important to find new ways of telling this story so we, as a society, can evolve and understand the consequences of our actions. Tumbleweed is a tribute to Philomena, her son Anthony, and to all the women, children, and babies who suffered injustice at these institutions.”

Originally from Glin, Co. Limerick and now based in Lixnaw, Co. Kerry, Noelle O’Sullivan has carved a distinctive path through Ireland’s indie music scene with her unique fusion of alternative folk and evocative storytelling. 

A finalist in Irish Music Month (2024) with Limerick Live 95 FM, her career highlights include the release of her debut album Seeds (2011), featuring the track “Sunny Days” which aired on RTÉ Radio 1 and featured in the UK soap Hollyoaks. She has performed at actor Dominic West’s wedding and shared stages with acclaimed artists such as Mick Flannery and John Sheahan (The Dubliners).