Song inspired by courage and legacy of Limerick campaigner
Travel On by Fiona Kennedy is part of an upcoming album Natural Woman
A NEW song inspired by the courage and legacy of Vicky Phelan has been released.
Travel On by Fiona Kennedy is part of an upcoming album Natural Woman, which will be launched in Cork on October 2.
Fiona said: “The album is rooted in stories of women who have inspired, challenged and influenced.”
She said that this song took inspiration from Vicky Phelan’s courage and determination during the cervical check scandal, which in turn helped to change the national conversation around women’s healthcare.
Fiona explained: “Vicky Phelan’s bravery moved the whole country. Her courage and her refusal to give up - even in the most difficult circumstances inspired me deeply. Travel On is my tribute to her spirit and to every woman who keeps going, no matter what stands in her way.”
Featuring harmonica playing from bluesman Joe O’Callaghan, alongside Fiona’s distinctive vocals and storytelling, Travel On blends contemporary folk with a message of hope, perseverance, and forward momentum.
The album Natural Woman combines original songs with spoken-word readings, stories and visual projections, to explore women who challenged injustice, followed their passions, cared for others, survived adversity, or simply kept going when life demanded more of them.
Fiona said: “Some were public figures whose names had become part of Irish history. Others had made an extraordinary contribution quietly, often without recognition.
“Together, their stories began to reflect different chapters of my own life - motherhood, career, ambition, resilience, caring, starting over again and finding a voice. I wanted to tell these stories because I think we all have women who have influenced us, inspired us or changed the way we see the world and that became the heart of Natural Woman.”
The album includes songs inspired by Mary Elmes, the Irish humanitarian who risked her life to save children during the Second World War, pioneering adventurer Dervla Murphy, Mary Crilly, founder of the Cork Sexual Violence Centre, Caitriona Twomey of Cork Penny Dinners and Grace O’Malley, Ireland’s legendary pirate queen.