Artist Website: www.marycoughlan.ie
About Mary Coughlan
Mary Coughlan, born in Galway, Ireland, faced a tumultuous upbringing marked by early struggles with alcohol and drugs. After leaving convent school at fifteen and spending time in a mental hospital, she moved to London in the mid-1970s, where she married and had three children. Following her separation from her husband in 1981, Coughlan returned to Galway and began her music career, gaining attention from Dutch producer Erik Visser.
Her debut album, Tired and Emotional, released with Visser's help, became a commercial success in Ireland, partly due to her appearance on The Late Late Show. She continued to release acclaimed albums throughout the late '80s and '90s, including Uncertain Pleasures and After the Fall, and collaborated with notable artists.
In 2000, Coughlan celebrated Billie Holiday's legacy through multimedia shows, leading to the album Mary Coughlan Sings Billie Holiday. Her 2018 project, Woman Undone, combined theater, music, and dance to reflect her life experiences, earning nominations at the Irish Times Theatre Awards.
Despite facing personal and professional challenges, including a struggle with alcoholism and a public feud with Sinéad O'Connor, Coughlan has been an influential voice for women in Irish society. In 2020, she received a lifetime achievement award from the Mayor of Galway for her cultural contributions.
Video
Mary Coughlan - Magdalen Laundry
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