Céad Míle Fáilte, Welcome
Raise The Ash – a song that captures a Celtic spirit that honours the bond between people, land and culture.
Here in Ireland, we come from a people who have long shared a love for the unique expressions of culture that have been kept alive here for centuries.
One such symbol of our culture is the hurley, the wooden stick used to play our native Irish sporting games at home and around the world.
The Ash Tree, known to our ancestors as a “Noble of the Wood,” has gifted us her wood to craft our hurley and camogie sticks for generations – possibly since before Cú Chulainn’s time!
However, Ash is now an endangered species worldwide, threatened by Ash dieback disease. It seems we may soon need to source a replacement for the making of our hurleys.
Before we do, we are a growing number of people who want to unite our voices together to offer our appreciation for Ash, not just for all Ash has been giving us for countless generations (like air to breathe, hurleys, musical instruments, shelter for wildlife) – but for who Ash is – a living presence amoung us in our countryside, sacred sites, holy wells, and fields.
This is not just a song – it is an invitation. When any great cultural legend amoung us is about to retire – think the Wolfe Tones! – us Irish folk would never dream to leave them off without a good send off!
We are inviting a similar gesture of appreciation to Ash, in gratitude and respect, who has given Irelands culture, ecology, and people so much throughout the ages.
At this time of loss for hundreds of millions of endangered Ash Trees around the world, we feel a call within our hearts – a call to restore our relationship with Nature, and embrace our ancient role as protectors of the earth and lovers of Ireland’s cultural soul.
Song – Raise the Ash
Being released very soon! Watch this space 🙂
I’ve been so honoured to collaborate on this piece with some of Ireland’s most gifted artists.
I would like to extend my deep gratitude to John Broderick for supporting my vision. John, a prolific songwriter and poet, has penned songs for Delores Keane, Seán Keane, Maedhbh Walsh, Ger O Donnell, Celtic Woman, and many more. I’m truly humbled and thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with John on the writing of the lyrics for Raise the Ash, alongside PJ Flaherty and James A Walsh.
A sincere thank you to the incredibly talented PJ Flaherty for bringing the lyrics to life with his beautiful and catchy melody.
I’m also very grateful to James A. Walsh for his brilliant songwriting, production, vocals, and musical artistry. James, your tremendous contributions and support have elevated this work in ways I can never fully express.
My sincere thanks to Eoin Jordan (Guitars and Bouzouki) and Anthony Ruby (Uileann Pipes and Whistles) for their prolific musical gifts, and for the passion and energy they brought to the recording process. Your gifts made this piece even more special!
My heartfelt thanks to Liam Emery, peace be with his spirit, and to Liam’s wife Norma and his family for their kind permission to use this photo of the Emery Cross that Liam planted with love by hand. Liam’s dedication to his craft are reflected in the forest and Celtic cross he planted with exquisite forestry design planning.
A special thank you to Gareth Wray, at Gareth Wray Photography for granting us permission to use this stunning arial photograph of the Emery Celtic Cross titled ‘Autumn Blessings.’
Poem: Caoimhe’s Mindful Pause
In 2021 I wrote and shared this poem, along with presentation slides, with our leaders in the GAA headquarters in Dublin: Caoimhe’s Mindful Pause/
It was as a creative way to present my vision for the role sport can play in peacemaking, culture regeneration, and climate action. I extended an invitation for our GAA leaders to join me in bringing this vision to life together.
I’m very grateful and humbled to have been granted an opportunity to collaborate with the GAA’s outstanding Green Clubs Programme, and that we successfully secured the greatly appreciated funding for the planting of 10,000 native trees from the Irish Government Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine which I proposed from the outset we apply for to fund this initiative.
It was a true honour to introduce two peacemaking initiatives into the Green Clubs Programme’s wider 100,000 native tree planting and growing projects, in a way that aligned with the United Nations’ Resolution of “Harmony with Nature.”
I am thankful to everyone involved in helping to bring this vision to fruition, especially to Jimmy D’arcy, Youth Leadership & Sustainability Manager. The Green Clubs Programme is truly an inspiration for climate action across the sporting sector.