The Women, We Will Rise is a theatrical song cycle giving voice to the women of Ireland, past, present and future. Presented by folk-singer Karan Casey and director Tom Creed in conjunction with The Everyman this new project progresses the female narrative in the folk tradition, placing women centre stage and sharing through song and story gallant women from Ireland’s past, whilst singing into being a vision for the women of the future.
Foregrounding the experiences and nuances of women’s lives from the revolutionary period, Karan has written songs about her own great grandmother Agnes Ryan of the hotel, a mother of 12 children and a Cumann na mBan member and other figures from the era, such as Kathleen Clarke from Limerick and Countess Markievicz as well as addressing women in contemporary Ireland. Keeping an eye on things, as always, is the legendary figure from Irish folklore, An Chailleach.
"Spend an hour with 'The Women, We Will Rise' and you will find out that the Irish understand conflict and have lived with its scarring echoes for over a century now. 'The Women, We Will Rise' received a standing ovation at The Everyman on that Saturday afternoon. This show should be touring every art centre and community hall in the country…And Karan’s performance is nothing short of a triumph." - Sean Laffey, Irish Music Magazine