In a special Imbolg edition of Monday Mixtape, featuring his reflections on tracks by the likes of Sinéad O’Connor, Domhan, Alice Coltrane, Mariee Sioux and more, Dublin psych-folk master Seán Mulrooney marks the festival’s cosmic turning point.
Speaking about his selection, Mulrooney said: “As Monday marks the cosmological alignment of Imbolg, and we are in the time of Bríd, the Goddess of poetry, art, fire, and water, I thought I would dedicate it to some of my favourite female artists.”
Mulrooney’s highly-anticipated debut solo album This Is My Prayer is set for release on Friday 14th February 2025.
Domhan – Trócaire Brighid
On the first day of Imbolc, celebrating the birth of spring, it feels only right to begin with this song of pure devotion to the Goddess Brigid. Ciara, the other half of Bog Bodies, is a musical force of nature.
Buffy Sainte-Marie – He’s the Keeper of the Fire
For anyone wanting to learn about Native American culture, Buffy Sainte-Marie is a great place to start. This song is pure power, embodied wisdom—think Iggy Pop meets high priestess. A spiritually charged late 60s rocknroll infusion. The blues guitars and her commanding vocals are bonkers good.
Alice Coltrane – Journey in Satchidananda
Many moons ago, when I broke my elbow, I spent two weeks in the hospital on a lot of morphine for the pain. The only thing I could listen to was Alice Coltrane on repeat. I’m pretty sure it sped up my healing — I was blissed out for a number of reasons!
Mariee Sioux – Wild Eyes
From my understanding, this song speaks to the sacred hoop of life and the interconnectedness of all things—circles that include not just us humans but also those who look a little different to us, rocks, trees, fire, winged ones, four-legged beings, and even the smallest creepy crawlies. Mariee’s enchanting voice speaks to the seen and unseen.
PJ Harvey & John Parish – Black Hearted Love
Pure rapture. The raw sensuality of her music, that vocal delivery intertwined with those discordant John Parish guitars is just beyond.
Ellowen – Church
In the theme of Brigid is revered equally by both pagans and Catholics in Ireland—representing compassion and unity—it is a bold choice for a pagan woman to title a song Church. Ellowen bares her soul in her work, showing incredible vulnerability, which in turn is deeply empowering—not just for her but for anyone who embraces her art.
Nina Hynes – Irelantis
Possibly the best song title I’ve ever heard! The lyrics say it all:
Ireland is the pagan
Who became a saint
Who became a prisoner
Who became a slave
Ireland is me, pregnant
And living in the land of the fallen wall
Cause the walls in my own home grew too high to climb
Ireland needs to wake up, to forgive
And to be her own phoenix rising
(This is the time to live)
Ireland needs to wake up, to forgive
And to be her own phoenix rising
Sinéad O’Connor – Thank You for Hearing Me
As Ireland marks its first national holiday dedicated to a woman—Brigid—it’s impossible to speak of the Goddess rising without mentioning Sinéad. A trailblazer for all of us, especially women, her courage was boundless.
Me and me sister Dee sang this song every day for a month as part of our show when we performed Growler at the Edinburgh Fringe. It became our mantra. The lyrics are simple, yet they speak to something we all need to hear and say from time to time. Sinéad will not only be remembered for her simplicity but for her depth, her complexity, and her absolute divine feminine courage.
