Limerick musician releases enchanting new track to mark Brigid’s Day

Susan Quirke and Enda Gallery at St. Brigids Well Liscannor. Photo: Dearbhla Glynn.

Limerick musician Susan Quirke joins forces with Kildare musician Enda Gallery to create an enchanting new track to mark St Brigids Day

Co. Limerick singer, songwriter and musician Susan Quirke has joined forces with Kildare musician Enda Gallery to create an enchanting new track to mark St. Brigid’s Day this year. The pair of musicians joined forces in Enda’s studio in Kilfenora, County Clare to record ‘Ó a Bhríd – Ode to Brigid’, a track described as an ‘Irish language meditative mantra’ they co-created together in recent weeks.

The 11-minute track was commissioned by the Herstory Education Trust as part of their series of celebrations marking Brigid’s Day. Herstory, a movement showcasing and celebrating modern, historic and mythic women, previously spearheaded the successful campaign to make Brigid’s Day Ireland’s new public holiday.

Speaking on the release of the track, Herstory Founder Melanie Lynch said she’s bowled over by its depth and quality.

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“We wanted something special to mark the 1500 year anniversary of Brigid’s passing and we’re thrilled that these two exceptional artists answered the call. I have always dreamed of collaborating with Susan Quirke. She’s an artist of remarkable integrity with a mellifluous voice. I also did Susan’s meditation course, and it honestly changed my life. So, I was thrilled when she partnered with the Enda Gallery on this timely commission. Together they embody Brigid’s qualities with a rare authenticity in amplifying ancient Irish wisdom for a modern audience. They captured something really stunning in their creation, a sound that transcends and will stand the test of time, and it’s great to have this song featured as part of the Herstory light show and other events marking Brigid’s Day”.

Oola native Susan Quirke is also a meditation teacher and recently returned home from touring Australia with Xavier Rudd. Commenting on the song she said ‘Brigid for me represents the power of feminine healing, poetry, truth, and justice, part of an ancient Irish indigenous spirituality, one that celebrates the earth, and each other. With this track we wanted to honour the spirit of Brigid and the Celtic season of Imbolg, the coming of spring, and to honour the land of County Clare and its connection with Brigid. We recorded the sound of the water pouring from St. Brigid’s well in Liscannor, to bring the soundscape of Clare into the fabric of the song itself. This is a gentle and simple song that brings the elements of Brigid’s symbolism such as fire, water, and the oak tree, into its mantra-like quality. It was a joy to create and record.’

The track also marks Susan’s first new track since her debut album Into the Sea was released in 2021. Her album received critical acclaim from the likes of the BBC, RTÉ, and Hot Press. Since then, Susan has been based between Ireland and Australia where she is focused on teaching meditation and leading ‘mass meditation experiences’ involving thousands of people. Susan has also worked with the Irish rugby team, elite athletes, musicians, community groups and people from all walks of life.

Susan’s Clare-based collaborator Enda Gallery is a fellow meditator and also someone with many strings to his bow. His 2021 debut album “The Journey to Zero” earned him RTÉ Radio 1’s Album of the Week, with the single “Don’t Let Me Win” gaining acclaim from Cerys Matthews on BBC 6 and “It’s Alright” featuring on the BBC Introducing mixtape and hit series “Normal People”. Fresh from three recent American tours, and the release of ‘Take My Hand’ and ‘Click’ in 2023, Enda is now busy working on his much anticipated second album.

Speaking about the new track Ó a Bhríd – Ode to Brigid Enda says “in the spirit of St. Brigid’s Day, Susan and I joined creative forces to craft a musical invocation that channels the strength, grace and wisdom of this remarkable woman. Our collaboration reflects the sacred balance of the masculine and feminine and the power of unity in creating meaningful art.”

The song Ó a Bhríd – Ode to Brigid is available to stream on Spotify
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