Bright Star of the West examines the life, repertoire, and influence of Ireland''s greatest sean-nos (old-style) singer, Joe Heaney (1919-1984). Best known for popularing this form of Gaelic a cappella folk song in the United States, authors Sean Williams and Lillis ? Laoire reveal the ways in which Heaney''s life story demonstrates the intertwining of music with political memory and cultural understanding.

Bright Star of the West examines the life, repertoire, and influence of Ireland''s greatest sean-nos (old-style) singer, Joe Heaney (1919-1984). Best known for popularing this form of Gaelic a cappella folk song in the United States, authors Sean Williams and Lillis ? Laoire reveal the ways in which Heaney''s life story demonstrates the intertwining of music with political memory and cultural understanding.