Beyond the Veil:
Songs of Death, Grief and Resilience
Saturday 27th – 1pm-2.30pm
In this session, Westport singer, Elizabeth Healy, will share her fascination for an important, though largely unexplored aspect of our musical and cultural heritage, the genre of traditional songs known as Revenant Songs. These songs, deeply rooted in Irish and international folklore, narrate tales of the dead returning, mostly in their full human form, to resolve unfinished earthly matters.
Elizabeth will discuss the features and cultural significance of the songs, their original role in death and mourning, as well as their potential current value in addressing present-day themes of grief, loss and transition. Elizabeth will sing a number of examples of the genre.
Suitable for anyone of any age, with an interest in the Otherworld and in traditional songs and singing.
Born in Dublin and living for many years in Westport, Co. Mayo, Elizabeth has been singing for as long as she can remember. Her wide range of musical interests include traditional and folk music as well as jazz, Americana and French chansons.
She has been a member of a variety of groups and choirs over the years, including Westport’s Blue grass/ country group, “Wild Blue Yonder” and jazz trio, Wabi Sabi. Currently, she sings in the acclaimed choir, Cór Mhaigheo.
Elizabeth also sings solo, both at singing circles and at music and other sessions. Elizabeth was invited Guest Singer at An Góilín and at Cíorcal in Falcarragh, Co. Donegal in 2023.
Recently, she developed a fascination for the group of traditional songs known as Revenant Songs, and following considerable research into the genre, developed a presentation/ workshop, which she has presented at Westival (Westport Arts Festival) and Drogheda Traditional Music and Singing Weekend in autumn 2024, and at the San Francisco-based Spring Harmony Festival online earlier this year and the regular Ballad ZOOM” online singing session in June 25.
Elizabeth continues to explore traditional and folk music and to further develop her Revenant Songs project.