A MOTHER’S VOICE
Featuring Musici Ireland, during their United States premiere
Presented in Partnership with the
Appalachian Chamber Music Festival
“A Mother’s Voice” is an immersive, multi-disciplinary experience dedicated to the many women affected by the mother and baby homes in Ireland during the 1900s. In honor of these women, this collaboration between artists and living survivors sheds light on this veiled era of Ireland’s recent history.
This special event is only offered for a limited time during the Festival.
Christ Reformed Church
304 E German Street
Shepherdstown, WV
A Mother’s Voice is presented with support from Culture Ireland.
Assistant Creative Director: Jane Hackett
Mothers’ Voices: “Cait,” Deirdre Wadding, and Sheila O Byrne
Original Score and Soundscape: Irene and Linda Buckley
Animation: Eabha Bortollozo and Jack Kirwan
Installation: Bridget Ni Dhuinn
Lighting Design: Eoin McNinch
Musici Ireland’s latest production, A Mother’s Voice, is a heartfelt tribute to the women affected by Ireland’s mother and baby homes during the 1900s. Developed with funds from the Arts Council of Ireland and Triskel WRITE, RECORD, PERFORM bursary, this multidisciplinary production blends artistry and activism in a powerful exploration of a dark chapter in Ireland’s history.
A Mother’s Voice is more than just a performance. It stands as a testimony to the resilience of survivors, a critical exploration of a hidden aspect of Ireland’s history, and an invitation to engage in an important dialogue. The production is a collaborative effort between artists and living survivors, with a shared mission to shed light on this period of Ireland’s past.
Central to the performance are the voices of three mothers, “Cait,” Deirdre Wadding, and Sheila O’Byrne. Their stories form the core narrative, giving authenticity and emotional depth to the production.
A Mother’s Voice has been widely praised for its thoughtful and sensitive handling of such a difficult subject matter. Shea Donovan from the Indigo Arts Collective applauds the production’s focus on survivors, stating, “A Mother’s Voice does a beautiful job of centering survivors and transforms powerful testimony into performance with thoughtfulness and care.”
Catherine Kontz, composer and Artistic Director of Rainy Days Festival, Luxembourg, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the international interest the work has garnered due to its relevance and the sensitivity with which the subject matter has been treated.
