'''Song For Bridget Cleary' is from a new collection of original songs that reflect on what it means to be an Irish woman living in 21st century Ireland, shaped by Irish history, folklore and contemporary society at large.'' That's how singer-songwriter Edel Meade introduces the upcoming Brigids and Patricias

''Having worked as a professional jazz vocalist for over a decade, I found myself performing in Spanish in Havana, Cuba in 2018 (I don't speak Spanish by the way!) and promptly decided it was time to connect with music from Ireland and to explore what it means to be a creative artist from Co. Tipperary.''

Edel released Blue Fantasia in 2017

Edel's song 'Love Lost' from Scott Flanigan 2015 album Point of Departure here in a piano trio instrumental arrangement. The piece, with Edel's vocal and her lyrics added, in a different version later appeared on Blue Fantasia

Cleary was burnt alive by her husband in 1895, not far from where Meade grew up in Co. Tipperary. She notes with no little incredulity in her exclamation ''although he insisted she had been taken away by the fairies!''

Also on the album is 'Song of the Seal' that Edel, who is based these days in LImerick city, explains was ''inspired by the selkie legends found in Irish and particularly Scottish folklore, while 'Kundalini Rising' was inspired by Brigid, the Celtic goddess and saint and is a nod to all the great women in the world who are stepping fearlessly into their power for the greater good of all.''

Edel Meade, top, press shot. Brigids and Patricias is to be released on 8 March – International Women's Day