An Irish songwriter has paid tribute to the tragic love story of Eater Rising lovers Joseph Plunkett and Grace Gifford in a beautifully performed song.
Sarah Buckley wrote ‘Wedding Bells’ to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising after being invited to take part in a series of gigs called ‘Reflections on the Rising’ put on by RTE.
Remarkably, the song took Sarah just one draft to write in a Dublin pub.
It has received great praise for its poignant tone, whilst also offering feelings of hope for the listener.
Plunkett and Gifford’s story was one of the most tragic of the Easter Rising, as the couple got married in the prison chapel of Kilmainham Gaol, just hours before he was executed.
The newlyweds were allowed to spend just 15 minutes as man and wife, before being separated.
Sarah Buckley is one of Ireland’s up and coming musicians and first rose to prominence after securing a place in “Whelan’s Ones to Watch”.
Her debut single ‘You’ve Got Me’ spent four weeks on RTE One Recommended Playlist.
She was thrilled to take part in the Reflections on the Rising centenary event, and the song is a credit to her. It was produced by Karl Odlum and mastered by John Flynn.
The lyrics and music are a great way to pay respects to the Plunkett and Gifford. Commentators on the YouTube video have praised Buckley for acknowledging the sadness of the story, whilst also maintaining the uplifting tone of the Rising leaders and their goal for a free Ireland.
Take a look at the video for yourself.
Written by Andrew Moore