In this Film Ireland Podcast, contributor Will Penn chats with Irish-American harpist Joy Shannon, who's preparing to shoot a documentary in Ireland.
Her new album In The Forest Singing Sorrowless, released in late November, is inspired by the poetry of J. R. R. Tolkien and features a special collaboration with his great-granddaughter. Unfortunately there are some technical issues with this section that have impacted the audio.
Then, at 28:56 contributor Dolapo Agunbiade sits down with writer-director Adam Mura to discuss his indie series Midlands Mayhem. From the origins of the concept to the realities of independent production, they delve into the making of the show and look at what audiences can expect.
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Jared Ennis is a disaffected young man working in a scrapyard in the midlands of Ireland. In years prior, Ennis was a hard-partier among a group of young people in the town who frequently drink, do drugs and engage in petty crime, branding themselves The Sesh Council. Ennis is contacted by Council member and former friend Tristan ‘Canner’ Corcoran, who reveals their acquaintance, Fearghal, has been murdered. The two meet with Jessica ‘Seshica’ Hegarty, the Grand Elder and leader of the Sesh Council, who tries to bring Ennis back into the fold to investigate the murder. A local young man and former classmate of Ennis, Mad Jack Wensleydale, takes credit for Fearghal’s murder, vowing to rid the midlands of the crime and violence that the Council brings. It’s made clear to the Council that he’s not working alone.
The two main creative minds behind the project were Adam Mura and Shane O’Baoill, who met studying film at college. They produced the series together with Adam in the director’s chair and Shane serving as the Director of Photography. Adam went to school in the Midlands and most of his friends were from the area. This included two of the main characters portrayed by William Ennis and Tristan Canning.
Joy Shannon
Joy is an Irish harpist and singer whose ethereal and haunting songs come from depths of Irish folklore. Her melodies evoke images of witch’s lairs in dark woods or the distant echoes of the voices of spirits in the ancient places of the Irish countryside.
Joy Shannon’s newest album release In the Forest Singing Sorrowless is inspired by author J.R.R. Tolkien’s poetry, with Shannon’s original music accompanying Tolkien’s wonderful words. Shannon decided to create this album during a personally challenging year, when she went through medical treatments for breast cancer. Tolkien’s works have always been an inspiration for Shannon, especially to have hope and purpose at the darkest times, so the recording of this album carried her through a difficult time. The resulting album is a mystical dream-walk through Tolkien’s landscapes, through the magical lens of Shannon’s intimate harp and vocals.
The album title is a quote from Tolkien’s poem Beren and Lúthien about the tragic love story between a man and an elf. Love and music to Shannon, is like Tolkien describes the forest as a haven from the sorrows of the world, where love can flourish. Shannon has written songs like Grey Havens and Faramir over the past 20 years but decided to intricately rework and re-record all her Tolkien-inspired work, in addition to some new songs like Beren and Lúthien and Misty Mountains. She recorded with cellist Kakophonix, from the dark folk band Osi and the Jupiter. Additionally, this album features guest artists Ruth Tolkien, the great granddaughter of Tolkien, Maria Franz from Heilung, Leila Abdul-Rauf, and Travellers Rest. The album is set for release initially on Halloween and will be followed by an instrumental rendition on 21st November 2025, all through Royal Tea and Fiadh Productions.
Previously, Joy Shannon has released several notable albums: Mo Anam Cara (2015), Aes Sídhe (2017), The Cave (2020) and An Chailleach (2024). Ever inspired by Irish lore and history, Mo Anam Cara, Irish for ‘soulmate’, followed the ancient Irish calendar, with a song for every holiday. Shannon’s 2017 album Aes Sidhe, Irish for ‘the spirits of the other world’, leads the listener through a musical journey through the Irish afterlife, from entering the dark of the burial mounds to the glorious peace of the Irish afterlife lands of Tír na n’Óg.
In 2020, Joy Shannon released a sublime album called The Cave, which was inspired by the ritualistic use of caves in ancient Ireland, where they were used as meditative places to connect with the gods and face one’s fears. The songs are, at times, droning and mesmerising and, at other times, they pulse with the heartbeat of the earth.
Last year, Shannon released an album called An Chailleach, or Irish for the crone or elder goddess. For this album, Shannon delved into the lore of the dark wintertime goddess of Ireland, with stark and stunning compositions. Shannon’s fascination with ancient lore, led her to this year’s album, as Tolkien’s works are similarly inspired by ancient mythologies. Through her signature dark folk, full of longing and a mystical air, her music pairs perfectly with the words of Tolkien.
The record, which has been met with critical praise, was composed while Shannon was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Shannon is set to head to Ireland in 2026 to shoot a new documentary titled The Cailleach, based on her own life experiences.
Check out her website here: www.joyshannon.com.
