Germ / Famine

L”There is a well-known saying: “The English were never taught their history; the Irish never forget theirs.” I hold dual nationality and was never educated about An Gorta Mr, either at school or within my family. I believe this absence of education creates a gap in understanding and connection between English and Irish people. A lack of knowledge can lead to people feeling misunderstood, disrespected, or humiliated, which makes this a sensitive, important, and timely issue to address and pertinent to today and the conversation surrounding immigration, war and the growing rise in nationalism. Sin|ad O’Connor sang, “If there is ever going to be healing, there has to be remembering, then grieving, so that there can be forgiving, there has to be knowledge and understanding.” I strongly agree that education is a crucial step towards peace. I would not be the artist I am today without Sin|ad’s perspective, her bravery and sensitivity. My intention is to honour her voice and continue to spread her message. Adding my own verse felt like a necessary responsibility as I was born in England and grew up here. I believe England must acknowledge it’s actions and history in order for true healing, understanding and growth to take place. I play tin whistle on the track which was my first instrument and the tune I’m playing is one of the first songs I ever learnt at my Irish Catholic Primary School. There’s a nice sort of symmetry for me in retracing my own personal musical history to cover a song about this pivotal historical moment between Ireland and England, my two nationalities.” – Kate Nash