Tommy Sands

Re-Imagining Ireland

Tommy Sands

Re-Imagining
Ireland

Song, cultural identity and an unexpected shared stage in Virginia.

Charlottesville · 2003

Song, cultural identity and an unexpected shared stage in Virginia.

Re-Imagining Ireland brought artists, writers, thinkers and political figures to Charlottesville, Virginia, in May 2003. Tommy took part in a gathering that asked how Ireland’s identity was changing and what its cultural life might contribute to its future.

Music within the conversation

The Virginia Foundation for the Humanities’ account includes Tommy performing with Mick Moloney. Their appearance placed folk music alongside the conference’s discussions of literature, identity and a changing society.

Sharing songs across differences

Contemporary reporting in The Irish Times describes Tommy encouraging Brid Rodgers, David Ervine and Chris McGimpsey to take turns onstage and sing from their traditions. The episode gave the larger discussion a personal form: political differences remained, but a shared musical space became possible.