Emma Langford explores the history of Limerick women

FOLK-singer Emma Langford will be playing a stripped back performance for the Bastille Day Banquet at The Milk Market.

The event will celebrate the longstanding friendship between Ireland and France, on Saturday, July 15.

“It's really exciting to be part of this event because it's sort of a celebration of the ties between Limerick and France. And I'm currently working on a new piece that celebrates and recognises that, I'm hoping to have it ready to premiere at the event,” Emma said.

The singer-songwriter is currently exploring the impact of the French Revolution on Limerick and the role women played in defending their city during the Siege of Limerick in 1690.

“It's something I've been exploring for a while, I had heard about the women of Limerick defending the city against the Williamite, but I hadn't realised the French connection. I learned more about the French connection and also about this amazing figure of Marianne,” she said.

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An exploration of history prompted Emma to think of “a sort of goddess”, who might have been whispering into the ears of Limerick women and encouraging them to defend their city.

If “everything works out,” she’ll be releasing a new album next year, through which she’ll be delving into a theme that has often been undocumented.

“A big one would be the way in which women's stories are sort of swept under the carpet in history quite a bit. I’d like to look at the untold stories of collectives of women.

“A lot of history has happened and a lot of changes have happened in our history because of collectives of women that have made that happen.”

Has she always been intrigued by history?

“I struggled with how it was taught in school, so I kind of steered away from it then. But my go-to reading as a kid was fantasy fiction, which I suppose illustrates a certain draw to history and historical stories.”

After touring so much, the folk artist has discovered a newfound love for the topic.

“I think history has become a more important thing since becoming more aware of these stories that should be told,” she concluded.