Mike Hanrahan presents
The Ballad of the Crimson Warrior

A short musical film on a cultural revolution

Date: Thursday, February 10, 2022
Time: 7:00 pm Central | Free
How to Watch: CelticMKE YouTube

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A musical tribute to those who dared to dream. A 30-minute composition from Mike Hanrahan inspired by and dedicated to the creative women and men of the great Irish cultural revolution, 1890 to 1922. They were both rebels and innovators, writers and fighters who challenged a nation to reignite a flame and reconnect with its heritage. This often turbulent yet extremely innovative period of Irish history is a fascinating study on the rebirth of a nation hidden for centuries in the shadows of colonial power.

It is a five-part musical narrative with original music and reimagined traditional tunes to the backdrop of stunning period portraits from acclaimed Irish artist Mick O Dea. 

It features Mike Hanrahan on guitar and vocals with Seána Davey on Harp, Norah Constance Walsh on piano, Sive on vocals and guitar and Aldoc on whistles and percussion.

Recorded and filmed by Aldoc at Aras Chronain and supported by Culture Ireland.

The Five Musical Narratives:

The Awakening

The Burning

The Dreaming

The Uprising

The Remembering

Teaser Video

Catch a glimpse of the film by watching the teaser video below!

About Mike Hanrahan

Mike Hanrahan has been at the forefront of Irish music for four decades as a writer, singer, and musician. 

His professional career began in 1977 with Maura O'Connell in a duo called TUMBLEWEED. A few years later he joined Stockton's Wing, a band that made its name by defying the boundaries of Irish music by implementing contemporary sounds and molding genres. He wrote all the songs on Stockton's Wing’s ground-breaking and critically acclaimed album Light in the Western Sky (1984) including the hits "Beautiful Affair" and "Walk Away."

Learn more about Mike Hanrahan by visiting his website here.

This short film premiere is part of the annual Chuck Ward Memorial Lecture. The Chuck Ward Memorial Lecture is a collaboration between CelticMKE, home of Milwaukee Irish Fest, and the Center for Celtic Studies at University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, in honor of Chuck Ward's contributions to the Irish community in Milwaukee.