Ó Bhean An Tí Máire Brennan Ó Bhean An Tí (Traditional, arranged by Brennan, Lunny) Máire Brennan Vocals Deirdre Brennan & Bridín Brennan Backing Vocals Donal Lunny Bouzouki David Hayes Keyboards Eoghan O'Neill Bass Sharon Shannon Button Accordion Ray Fean Drums Noel Eccles Percussion Richie Buckley Tenor Saxophone

'Ó Bhean An Tí' was commonly sung in the Rosses, County Donegal, and is believed to have been a rallying song for The Whiteboys, one of the many agrarian-based secret societies which sprang up in Ireland at the time to protect tenant farmers from bad landlord practices. Large numbers of The Whiteboys later joined the United Irishmen to fight not so much for Catholic emancipation or parliamentary reform, as against high rents, tithes, evictions and the enclosure of common lands. This political ballad probably dates from the late eighteenth century when the expectation of a French expedition led by General Hoche (some versions of the song mention him by name) was high. The French fleet did sail to Ireland in 1796 but was prevented from landing by bad weather.

Ó Bhean An Tí

Biography Máire Brennan is best known as the lead singer of Clannad, a group largely made up of Brennan family members. Her haunting voice adds an ethereal quality to the unique sound that the band have developed over two decades, winning them many accolades and awards in the process. Máire has been singing since she was a child in Donegal in northwest Ireland - an area renowned for its rich musical heritage. Her mother teaches music and her father, after years leading a show band, now performs nightly in the Brennan family pub. Recently Máire has made great strides in her own career - in solo recordings, collaborations with other artists and as a producer. Her two albums, Máire and Misty Eyed Adventures have been a major songwriting departure for Máire and have drawn on musical influences from around the world.

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