The Songs of Elizabeth Cronin

Irish Traditional Singer

Dáibhí Ó Cróinín

“Although primarily a book of songs, the biographical notes and information relating to the various collectors makes for compelling reading. The book is large format with over 350 pages. A substantial publication and a labour of love by Dáibhí Ó Cróinín, a grandson of Beth Cronin, who lectured in history at NUI Galway until his retirement in 2019. It will be an important resource to anyone with an interest in traditional song and required listening and reading for anyone wanting to learn from one of the great singers from the Irish tradition.” Pete Heywood, The Living Tradition Magazine

“The numerous song collectors from Ireland, England and the United States, who recorded the West Cork singer Bess Cronin, always spoke of her in superlatives. They were in raptures when describing the beauty of her singing and the extent of her huge repertoire of songs in Irish and in English ... In this second and enlarged edition, Dáibhí provides us with the complete Bess Cronin collection (in Irish and English) with the texts of all her songs with a detailed analysis of every one, a biographical essay and a description of the historical background behind the song collecting ... Accompanying this new edition is a two-CD set of original and remastered recordings from public and private collections that include Child ballads, songs in Irish and English, children’s songs, and many more, including several popular favourites, almost 200 in all … All are agreed that Bess was the most compelling and satisfying of singers, and song collector Tom Munnelly once said about her singing, "one suspects that Bess Cronin could sing a laundry list and make it sound riveting". Four Courts have provided us with a feast of reading and listening in this enlarged edition.” Aidan O’Hara, Irish Music Magazine

“This book is a credit to Dáibhí Ó Cróinín, who, in compiling it, has done a great service to the whole ethos of traditional folk song and has provided a worthy extension to his grandmother’s work”, Fred Johnston, Galway Advertiser.

“A very readable and valuable volume ... A bargain to treasure for all lovers of sean nos singing”, Alison Armstrong, Irish Literary Supplement.

“The two CDs of Bess singing that accompany the book make it clear that her place in Irish traditional music is more than just being at the right place at the right time with a good memory and time to share her notes. She is also a brilliant singer”, Kim Bates, Green Man Review.

“Cróinín has done a great service with this outstanding piece of work”, Duck Baker, Dirty Linen.