Aistear an Amhráin– RTÉ series reveals fascinating stories behind Ireland’s most popular songs 

Tuesday 3rd June, 7pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player  

Aistear an Amhráin returns for a second series on Tuesday 3rd June, 7pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, telling the stories behind the songs we all know and love.

This new four-part series will delve into the story behind one of the nation’s best-loved ballads, Grace; the love story behind Frank and Walters’ iconic 90’s anthem, After All; the story of the Belfast roadie whose tragic murder inspired Spandau Ballet’s 80s hit Through the Barricades, and finally, the mischief and mystery behind the Irish language foot-stomper An Poc Ar Buile.

Episode one uncovers the story of Grace Gifford, the subject of the much-loved ballad Grace. Written in 1985 by brothers Frank and Seán O’Meara, the song was inspired by the tragic love story of Grace Gifford, who married Joseph Mary Plunkett in the chapel at Kilmainham Gaol just hours before he was executed in 1916. The ballad feels firmly rooted in the Irish tradition – as timeless as the tale it tells. Reporter Sinéad Ní Churnáin meets the O’Meara brothers to explore the song’s origins and to uncover the story of the woman behind it.

The brothers recall being asked by a music producer to write a big hit. Driving to Kilmainham in 1984, Sean recalls imagining the lyrics as the final words of one of Ireland’s founding fathers to his wife and sweetheart. Here, that famous first line came to him: “As we gather in the chapel here in Old Kilmainham jail, I think about these last few weeks, oh will they say we failed”.

The O’Meara brothers’ song was released by Jim McCann in 1986 and has since been recorded by a host of musical greats, from the Dubliners to Rod Stewart. But what do we know of Grace Gifford’s life before and after this tragic love story? Aistear an Amhráin paints a picture of a gifted illustrator who converted to Catholicism to marry an Irish Republican, who joined in the struggle at the inception of the Irish state and ended up as a prisoner in Kilmainham jail during the Civil War, seven years after her husband’s execution.

Contributors to this episode include the Fair City star and spoken-word artist Roxanna Nic Liam, who joins Sinéad on a journey to some of the landmarks in Grace’s life – St Enda’s Park in Rathfarnham where she first met Joseph Plunkett, University Church in St Stephen’s Green, where she converted to Catholicism, and to Grafton Street, where Grace bought their wedding rings.

Singer Aoife Scott discusses the haunting version of Grace she performed with her cousins, Róisín O and Danny O’Reilly at Kilmainham Gaol for the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Rising and Aoife sings once more in this episode. Domhnall Ó Bric, an acclaimed Kerry illustrator explores Grace Gifford’s work, much of which is housed in NIVAL, the National Irish Visual Arts Library at NCAD, Dublin.

Aistear an Amhráin begins on Tuesday 3rd June, 7pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. 

-ENDS- 

Date: Thursday 29 May 2025

RTÉ Communications: Éadaoin Nic Giolla Chomhaill