www.myspace.com/sanctuaryalbum
‘Sanctuary’, an album of music incorporating a wide variety of musical genres, has just been launched at Glenstal Abbey in County Limerick – all in aid of victims of domestic violence.

Including artists Moya Brennan of Clannad, Mary Coughlan, Nóirin Ni Riain, Jimmy O’Brien Moran, Cara O’Sullivan, the Monks of Glenstal and countless others, the album reflects the tragedy of domestic violence in our society.

“Domestic violence affects people from every background, from every social class, women, children and men. We want this album to provide something for each of them and this has lead to Sanctuary having such a broad range in musical styles.”

So said Fr Joseph Mc Gilloway OSB, one of Glenstal Abbey’s monks who produced the album, he continues:

“One of the great criticisms of charity albums it that there is little money left for the charities once the costs have been removed. This album is different, we have covered all the costs – it is completely paid for before it goes to the shops. Together we covered our own expenses and raised the money to pay for production costs.”

“Those who were paid - for recording, mixing, mastering and manufacturing did so at reduced rates, sometimes hardly worth mentioning. The over all felling is of people working together for an important cause.”

Sanctuary is also an unusual album in that the mix of genres should not naturally sit comfortably together however the songs and instrumental pieces chosen seem to hold well as a complete work.

One of the reasons for this is a deliberate attempt to give new musicians a hearing. Apart from those already mentioned, the album includes: Nassau Royal - an English singer/songwriter who has spent much of the past year performing in Ireland; Tonnta – harp and string ensemble, a product of UCC Music Department and James O’Brien Moran, a Leaving Cert student at Glenstal Abbey School.
“Ireland is crammed with musical talent, but the problem of getting a hearing still exists for musicians, despite the new possibilities offered by internet. I am very interested at looking towards building a charity based around music. My hope is to have established musicians help launch new ones. In the process, various charities can have any profit we make. Sanctuary is a good starting point, an example is the track ‘Stars are made for the Sky’, Nassau Royal has Moya Brennan singing backing vocals – this was Moya’s own idea” – Fr Joseph OSB

The demise of good artwork has been a topic in the music industry recently. With Sanctuary, the production and design team have gone back in time to produce something beautiful. The theme on the album cover is that of a sanctuary as the safe place we make for ourselves. However, since we also need support from others, the suggestion is that this is to be found in the company of those providing the music.

Every penny make from the sale of Sanctuary will go to Adapt House in Limerick (a refuge for women and children), AMEN (a national charity supporting male victims of domestic abuse) and the ISPCC.

Sanctuary should be available from all good music stores from Friday 13th of June 2008.

You will find more information, artwork and music samples at:
http://www.myspace.com/sanctuaryalbum. It would be a help if you could include this link in any articles written on Sanctuary.

For further information contact Joseph Mc Gilloway OSB at 061 621001 or 087 740 3749 or joseph@glenstal.org