Singer-songwriter Emma Langford on the women who shaped Limerick
AS 2023 begins, Limerick singer-songwriter Emma Langford will not find herself idle this year as she delves into the rich history of Limerick, all in the name of music.
The nu-folk musician spoke to the Limerick Leader about her upcoming plans for her next lyrical project - an exploration of women in Irish history.
Preparation is key and Langford notes that she has “a pile of books bigger than myself to get through”.
To research a topic and do it justice in the public eye is no easy feat, and Emma herself admits her hesitancy towards studying the topic for this very reason.
“I have been slow to start on it because I care so much about it”, she smiled. “I am worried about misinterpreting the stories or not being comprehensive enough.”
After doing a residency in Cork last year, and with the support of two other collaborators, the songwriter got stuck into her art and devoted time to exploring the role that women have had in Irish history.
“I have four songs written already that are about Ballyvourney in Cork,” started the musician, “and about St Gobnait - who is the kind of parish saint in Ballyvourney”, she smiled.
Regarding the history of her own hometown, Langford enthuses that she is “really excited” about the chance to research the heroic women of the Treaty City.
“In the next year the plan is to explore the women of Limerick in history and how they have shaped our city for what it is, they are part of our DNA as women of Limerick.”
A storyteller through melody, Emma proudly detailed her upcoming ideas: “I want to look at the lace workers and the women who defended Limerick on the walls around John’s Gate, and try to create work around them.”
Oftentimes parts of history can become overshadowed and forgotten, but with the help of musician Rhiannon Giddens, historian Sharon Slater, and some of the UL faculty to guide the process, Emma is modernising the medium of learning for this generation to ensure that the bold and courageous women of Limerick are remembered forevermore.