Irish Women in Harmony: quick facts
- What: a cover of The Cranberries’ 1992 song Dreams, by almost 40 Irish female artists.
- When: 2020, recorded remotely during the first Covid lockdown.
- Who organised it: Dublin songwriter RuthAnne Cunningham.
- Why: to raise money for Safe Ireland, which works to end domestic violence and coercive control.
- Result: number one on Ireland’s Official Homegrown Chart and over a quarter of a million euro raised.
In the spring of 2020, Ireland was locked down and calls about domestic abuse were rising. So a Dublin songwriter started getting in touch with other artists. Within weeks, almost 40 Irish women had recorded their parts of one song, each from their own home.
The song was Dreams, by The Cranberries. Here they are performing it together on RTÉ’s The Late Late Show.
How it came together
RuthAnne Cunningham is a Dublin songwriter who has written for some of the biggest names in pop. When lockdown began, she brought together a collective of Irish female artists, from established names to rising acts, including Una Healy, Erica Cody, Soulé and Fia Moon. Each singer recorded at home, and the parts were stitched together into one track.
The money raised went to Safe Ireland, the national organisation working with women and children affected by domestic violence.
Why Dreams?
Dreams was The Cranberries’ first single, released in 1992, written by Dolores O’Riordan and Noel Hogan. It is pure hope in a few minutes of music, and Dolores, who died in 2018, is one of the most loved voices Ireland has ever produced. Choosing her song was a tribute as much as a fundraiser.
What happened next
In its first week, the single went to number one on the Official Homegrown Chart, the first time a female act had done so, and entered the main Irish chart at number 15. The collective went on to raise over a quarter of a million euro for Safe Ireland and later released more music, including a Christmas single.
Irish Women in Harmony FAQ
Who started Irish Women in Harmony?
Songwriter RuthAnne Cunningham, in 2020.
What charity did Irish Women in Harmony support?
Safe Ireland, which works to end domestic violence and coercive control.
Who wrote Dreams?
Dolores O’Riordan and Noel Hogan of The Cranberries.
More Irish music
- The Cranberries’ Linger
- Zombie: Ireland’s rugby anthem
- Sinéad O’Connor’s Nothing Compares 2 U
- Enya’s Only Time
- The best viral Irish videos of all time
Featured image: still from The Late Late Show’s official YouTube channel (RTÉ).
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