To celebrate the annual International Women's Day, acclaimed Irish musicians Pauline Scanlon and Clare Sands have each released a new single to celebrate sisterhood in all its colours.

Scanlon’s ‘Felton Lonnin’ and Sands’ ‘Awe Na Mná (Praise the Women)’ are both passionate proclamations of female empowerment from two vibrant artists who channel traditional Irish folk sound but with a modern twist.

‘Awe Na Mná (Praise the Women)’ is a revelrous battle cry from bilingual singer and multi-instrumentalist Clare Sands. The adjoining music video features hundreds of women gathering on beaches in Dublin, Connemara, Belfast and Cork to sing and dance as part of a joyous congregation.

The video was directed by twin sisters Liadain Ní Bhraonáin and Kasia Kaminska, who worked with an all-female crew in each of the four locations. The film features women of every age, race, weight and background.

Speaking on her new song, Sands says:

“The gatherings of women all over the country were joyful, empowering and fierce - and I could think of no better time to release Awe na Mná (Praise the Women) than International Women’s Day. I wrote the song on Inisheer and while I was there, I was struck by how resilient, fearless, and strong the women were. This song reflects on the past, embraces the present and strives towards a brighter future for women in Ireland and all over the world.”

Before the Blarney-born singer released her acclaimed EP Tírdhreacha agus Fuaimdhreacha last year, Sands performed alongside Imelda May, Hothouse Flowers, The Stunning, Daithí and Mick Flannery.

2022 will see the release of her highly anticipated self titled album, as well as performances at Celtic Connections, Folk Alliance International, and Irish Arts Centre NY.

Listen to ‘Awe Na Mná (Praise the Women)’ below:

Pauline Scanlon’s new single ‘Felton Lonnin’ takes the form of a traditional Northumbrian ballad infused with a uniquely contemporary influence. The song is the second track that has been released from her upcoming album The Unquiet, set for release on April 8th.

“My forthcoming album The Unquiet is about an era of women whose lives and stories I wanted to sing about through the medium of traditional song," Pauline says of the project. "'Felton Lonnin' is a Northumbrian ballad about a missing child. I sing this song to honour the women and children who endured church and state systems of incarceration and separation in laundries, the mother and baby homes, county homes, residential institutions under systems of oppression, concealment, shame, abuse, and unspeakable cruelty.”

“I am deeply thankful to have once again collaborated with the extraordinary actor and dancer Siobhán Manson on the visual for this piece, with a video filmed, edited and directed by Alan Doherty. The lush, opulent harmony vocals on this track are by Nicola Joyce. Chris Pemberton played keys and synths, Graham Kearns played guitar, and John Reynolds played drums and produced the song.”

The West Kerry native has been at the front edge of the folk world since the release of her debut album Red Colour Sun in 2004.

She is also a founding member of FairPlé, an organisation that seeks to achieve equal opportunity for women in the production, performance, promotion, and development of Irish traditional and folk music.

Scanlon has several upcoming live shows at the Black Gate Galway, Duncairn Belfast, and the Pepper Canister Church.

Listen to 'Felton Lonnin' below: