Leitrim’s haunting ballad revived in Crankie Island song project

As part of the Crankie Island Song Project, musician Cathy Jordan has selected Plúirín Na mBan to represent Leitrim’s traditional music and storytelling heritage. This eerie ballad tells the story of a woman who returns from the dead to avenge her own murder, capturing themes of justice and the supernatural that are deeply rooted in Leitrim’s folk traditions.

Jordan, known for her work with the band Dervish, created the Crankie Island Song Project to preserve songs from each of Ireland’s 32 counties. Reflecting on her mission, she explains, “Our songs are a part of our folklore; they ignite memory and give us a sense of place.” The project combines music with visual storytelling, using the Crankie box—a 19th-century scrolling panorama device—to create a moving illustration for each song.

For Plúirín Na mBan, artist Paul Gascoigne crafted a visual story that accompanies the haunting melody, amplifying the song’s mystery. Jordan recorded the song with Claudia Schwab on violin and Irene Buckley on keyboard, staying true to the original style she learned from folk legend Peggy Seeger.

The Crankie Island Song Project, which took four years and involved over 50 musicians, preserves Ireland’s traditional songs in a format that engages modern audiences while honouring historical art forms. Jordan says, “Through this project, Leitrim’s legacy is preserved for new generations, its stories set to music and visual art that honour its heritage while inviting the world to listen.”