A Song for Ireland 2001
Distributed by First Run/Icarus Films, 32 Court St., 21st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201; 800-876-1710
Produced by Arthur MacCaig
Directed by Arthur MacCaig
VHS, color, 55 min.
Sr. High - Adult
Area Studies, Irish Studies, History, Human Rights, International Relations, Music, Poetry, Religious Studies, Storytelling
Date Entered: 02/28/2006
Reviewed by Brad Eden, Ph.D., Head, Web and Digitization Services, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las VegasThis film is a moving documentary that looks at the history of Ireland through its music. Numerous musicians are filmed for the video, including Pol McAdaim, the Wolfe Tones, Chris Byrne, and Maria Cahill, to name but a few. Archival footage of Ireland's 20th century history complements the music, from the 1918 Easter Rising, to the 1969 birth of the Civil Rights movement in Northern Ireland, England's establishment of the Special Powers Act, and the 1981 IRA hunger strike and current peace process. A unique portrait of Brendan "Bik" McFarlane is included, an IRA leader imprisoned in the 1980's, who’s "Song for Marcelia" was written in honor of his friend Bobby Sands, the first of ten men to die in the hunger strikes in Long Kesh prison. McFarlane is currently a musician and composer, and he sings this song in the video. This combination of music and political footage is truly an impressive film collage, and the video is an excellent tool for introducing the Irish political struggles of the 20th century to students and adults.