Neanderthal that I am, I just got round to watching “Robin Hood” the Scott Ridley version and was entranced again by “Women of Ireland” in the bonfire scene (having been entranced once before by Joannie Madden’s version). I searched the net and found all sorts of versions in various meters and keys, most of them playable and some of them quite pretty. So which one is the version Riada wrote? There seem to be a number of variations with his name attached.
I guess the (vocal) setting on Ó Riada’s own recording “Sa Gaiety” is authoritative. But the Chieftains’ version could also be considered definitive. After all, it was essentially The Chieftains performing on Ó Riada’s recording.
Surely among the most beautiful on earth! 
Huh? Oh ya, the music, lost my trend of thought for a moment. 
Anyhow, much admiration for the Daughters of Eireann!
Cheers,
Cayden
Grab yourself an A (preferably) or D whistle and play along with Sharon Corr. Grown men will cry, women will swoon and children will suddenly be quiet. I doubt it’s completely faithful to the original but it is damn close and is the most beautiful version I know of.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLpapasDBbs
Of course, it isn’t Andrea on the back of a motorcycle but…(inside joke)
ecohawk
Thanks for posting that link, Ecohawk. It was quickly added to my favorites. 
This is a modern twist by Bob James on this classic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X08_wH8GsY . The first time I heard this tune I immediately went out and bought the album (vinyl) just for this one track. Never thought many years later I would be playing it.
Frank
I had not heard that version. Interesting. And it is interesting that you would comment on it being a “modern twist on this classic”. While the inspiration for the piece is old, O’Riada’s music is a product of the late sixties and Bob James recorded it six maybe seven years or so after it was first heard and a mere three years after the Cheiftains recorded it.
And (I am gobsmacked) that was Philadelphia’s own Grover Washington Jr. on whistle. I knew he liked Coltrane but I had no idea that he picked up the whistle from him. Now what kind of whistle would he be playing in 1976?
Feadoggie
At my age anything from my youth I consider “classic”. I as well, had no Idea that was Grover Washington on the whistle.
But is it Trad?
Bob James recorded it six maybe seven years or so after it was first heard and a mere three years after the Cheiftains recorded it.
Not unlikely he picked it up from the Stanley Kubrick movie. Barry Lyndon was all the rage in 1975.
My favourite version - Cormac Breatnach with Deiseal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3oLEmaF1gU&feature=related
AWESOME SONG! Thanx for posting!
That’s the kinda music I like on whistles. Slow, dreamy ballad. Gorgeous!
It’s a strange melody which sort of dances around between modes with strong unsuspected cadences to G Major. And the phrases seem too short. But it’s lovely nonetheless.
I play it all the time (learned off the old Chieftans album) especially when playing at an Irish Wedding: I play it for the seating of the mothers, though the significance is probably lost on 99% of the people in attendance.
Likewise I play Roisin Dubh for the laying of the flowers. I guess I like the music to sort of match what’s happening, even if nobody “gets it”.