Renowned Singer and folklorist Lisa Lambe returns to Drimoleague Singing Festival with
her new work, Bess Cronin: The Queen of Múscraí. Emerging from Lisa’s ongoing
research and her year as Artist in Residence at Ionad Cultúrtha, Baile Mhúirne, this
special performance comes to the beautiful setting of St Matthew’s Church.
Through song, story and archival material, Lisa brings audiences into the world of Bess
Cronin, one of Ireland’s great traditional singers and a remarkable bearer of the song
tradition of Múscraí. Known as Banríon Mhúscraí, The Queen of Múscraí, Bess carried
an extraordinary repertoire in Irish and English, attracting some of the most important
song collectors and folklorists of the twentieth century to her home in Baile Bhuirne.
Drawing on Bess’s songs, stories and recordings, Lisa traces the life, landscape and
living tradition behind this extraordinary woman and the community from which her voice
emerged.
Lisa is joined by renowned musicians Cormac De Barra on harp and Kevin Corcoran
on piano for an special evening of music, memory and story, celebrating the enduring
legacy of local West Cork singer and storyteller Bess Cronin and the rich singing tradition
of Múscraí. Not to be missed!
“An absolute standout, truly beautiful tone, Lambe’s voice is sumptuous and shines brightly” – Hotpress Magazine