On Tuesday 31st May 2011, the group Magdalene Survivors Togetherreleased and launched their Charity Single to help raise funds and awareness around the ongoing struggle and injustice the Magdalene women in Ireland face. The Grammy award-winning hit “From a Distance” written by New York songwriter Julie Gold, has been specially re-produced by London based Music Producer John Reynolds & Tim Oliver. An incredible line up of artists include; Brian Kennedy, Sinead O’Connor, Tommy Fleming, Daniel O’Donnell, Ann Scott, Moya Brennan, Charlie Landsborough, Patrick Sheehy, Lumiere & The Glasgow Gospel Choir Scotland. The Magdalene women are really excited to have been able to work with these Artists, Songwriter & Producers. All the money raised on this track will go directly towards enabling the Magdalene women achieve their goal of building a National Monument in Ireland, to commemorate all Magdalene’s. Magdalene women have been dispersed all over the world after escaping these horrific institutions in Ireland. The last of which closed in September 1996. For years the women have struggled to have their stories heard and this charity single provides a unique opportunity for people in Ireland and worldwide to back the women, their goal and their campaign. The Charity single will be available in all Tesco Ireland stores from the 31st May 2011 and available to download online from all good Music stores such as iTunes, Amazon, HMV, Virgin and many more. http://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/from-distance-feat-sinead/id436325034?i=436325047
All the producers, record companies, artists and copyright holders such as Julie Gold wavered any fees to make this happen. It is estimated that the cost of producing this track otherwise would have been near €500,000 +. We hope that you can support the Magdalene women, the single and the campaign to make this a real success as everybody has worked on completely voluntary bases. “Magdalene Survivors Together” unveilled their single on the steps of the Department on Justice near St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin on Tuesday 31st May 2011. The woman presented the CD to the newly elected Taoiseach Enda Kenny along with 35 written testimonies from Magdalene survivors and their families.
Video to accompany the single: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyQ8G53RAxo