On Friday night March 10, the Irish Center presented a rare appearance of the Irish Brigade, the well-known band from Northern Ireland. Still fronted by founding member and songwriter Gerry O’Glacain, the band continued its reputation for high-spirited performance along with superb musicianship.
Generally known as a rebel band, their repertoire focuses on Irish republicanism and resistance to England’s occupation of Northern Ireland, through political ballads written by O’Glacain during the Troubles. Each song commemorates and personalizes the individuals who gave their lives for the cause of Irish freedom in the 1980s and 1990s. At Friday’s concert, they also performed songs about Irish resistance from other periods of Irish history and were joined for the last few numbers by the Portland-based band, the Shams.
The Irish Brigade’s place in the history of Irish music is highly significant, as their songs have entered the canon of songs of Irish resistance that are rousingly sung, both in homes and by bands around the world. Friday’s appearance was particularly historic in that the composer of most of their songs has lead singer – Gerry O’Glacain – performing his own compositions.
The band’s influence and strong following was clearly in evidence Friday as the audience enthusiastically joined in on every number. Now, almost 25 years after the 1998 Good Friday Agreement brought peace to Northern Ireland, it’s fitting to include the Irish Brigade’s work in the broad range of songs of Irish resistance. It documents those who gave the last full measure for the goal of Irish freedom; and for families of the fallen, remembrance of their loved ones in “the roll of honor” during the Troubles.
