Germ / Famine

L“There is a well-known saying: “The English were never taught their history; the Irish never forget theirs.” I hold dual nationality and was never educated about An Gorta Mór, either at school or within my family. I believe this absence of education creates a gap in understanding and connection between English and Irish people. A lack of knowledge can lead to people feeling misunderstood, disrespected, or humiliated, which makes this a sensitive, important, and timely issue to address and pertinent to today and the conversation surrounding immigration, war and the growing rise in nationalism. Sinéad O’Connor sang, “If there is ever going to be healing, there has to be remembering, then grieving, so that there can be forgiving, there has to be knowledge and understanding.” I strongly agree that education is a crucial step towards peace. I would not be the artist I am today without Sinéad’s perspective, her bravery and sensitivity. My intention is to honour her voice and continue to spread her message. Adding my own verse felt like a necessary responsibility as I was born in England and grew up here. I believe England must acknowledge it’s actions and history in order for true healing, understanding and growth to take place. I play tin whistle on the track which was my first instrument and the tune I’m playing is one of the first songs I ever learnt at my Irish Catholic Primary School. There’s a nice sort of symmetry for me in retracing my own personal musical history to cover a song about this pivotal historical moment between Ireland and England, my two nationalities.” - Kate Nash