Limerick-born, New-Jersey based roots artist Helen O’Shea will release new single ‘Caged Birds’ on November 21st, featuring acclaimed artist and songwriter Liam O’Maonlaí of Hothouse Flowers. The single is the fourth release from her highly anticipated album ‘Songs In The Key of O’, which pays homage to Sinéad O’Connor and Dolores O’Riordan (The Cranberries), and is due for release on March 6th, 2026.
Singer-songwriter O’Shea was deeply inspired to honor one of her personal heroes, Sinéad O’Connor during the creation of her upcoming album, when her long-time producer/co-writer and two-time Grammy winner Marc Swersky shared a Celtic rock-infused instrumental track with her. It was this moment that sparked the creative journey of single "Caged Birds", a powerful though poignant anthem with a message of healing at its core.
In the studio, Swersky wished to channel the spirit of legendary Irish music icon Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy, infusing the track with the raw and passionate delivery characteristic of the beloved frontman and bassist. However, after the song’s completion, a chance meeting between O’Shea and Liam Ó Maonlaí at Ireland’s folk music conference (Your Roots Are Showing) in January, added a transformative layer to the track. Moved by the song’s message, Liam agreed to collaborate with O’Shea, contributing both his distinctive vocals and soul-stirring piano.
"Working with Helen on ‘Caged Birds ‘ started with a great force of friendship and enthusiasm . The rest looked after itself", Ó’Maonlaí says.
The lyrics of “Caged Birds” continue O’Shea’s ongoing homage to Dr. Maya Angelou, a recurring influence throughout her songwriting. The track addresses the long-lasting impact of hidden childhood abuse, particularly in the lives of young girls, and pays tribute to Sinéad O’Connor’s courage in speaking out about her own experiences.
“Sinéad’s legendary first appearance on Ireland’s Late Late Show changed everything,” says O’Shea. “She gave so many Irish girls the determination to find their voices and reshape their identities. In many ways, she helped set them free.”
“Caged Birds” stands not only as a tribute to Sinéad O’Connor’s fearless spirit, but also as a call for truth, resulting in a song especially for those still finding the courage to speak.
Announcing her album ‘Songs In The Key of O’ in July with a special Jersey-girls cover of Sinéad O’Connor’s ‘Dense Water Deep Down’, O’Shea earned strong international support from Hot Press, Front View Magazine, Vents Magazine and more, launching the highly collaborative LP with flair. Succeeding this was August single ‘Rock and Roll Angel (feat. Barry Murphy)’, a delicate original track penned with two-time GRAMMY award winning producer Marc Swersky, in honour of The Cranberries’ lead vocalist, Dolores O’Riordan.
Songs in the Key of O’ (for release on March 6th 2026) features a talented list of collaborators, including Nathan Bishop, Nicole Scorsone, Brielle Brown, Michelle Moore (Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band - E Street Choir), Fiona Tyndall, Lauren O'Shea and more, with the LP engineered by Jack Daley (Spin Doctors), mixed by Seth Von Paulus (Linda Perry) and mastered by Leon Zervos.
ABOUT HELEN O’SHEA
With the heart of a healer and the grace of grit, Ireland-born, New Jersey-based artist Helen O'Shea is trailblazing a path of hope and possibility, sharing her unguarded story so that others may step fully into their power.
Helen’s journey from medicine to motherhood to music embodies resilience, reinvention, and the power of learning to heal. Blending Americana and Celtic influences into her signature sound, which she calls AmeriCeltiCana, her music and message resonate deeply with women and mothers rediscovering themselves later in life.
Through Helen’s metamorphosis, she holds fiercely to her personal mantra, Turning Tides Make Sturdy Souls, reflecting her belief that life’s challenges—both joyful and painful—are what shape us. Embracing transformation takes courage, and through her music, Helen extends a hand, reminding us that we don’t have to take the first step alone.
Before entering the music world, Helen dedicated years to a distinguished medical career as an obstetrician/gynecologist. She attended medical school at the University College Galway (UCG) Ireland, where she met her husband, Paul O’Shea, PhD. She then spent a number of years as an Assistant Professor in Medical Research and Medical School Teaching at the prestigious McGill University in Montreal, Canada, where she became a leader in perinatal research and medical education. She created Healing in Medicine, a groundbreaking course that taught medical students, residents, and physicians how to handle the complexities of caring for vulnerable patients and their families.
Even as a doctor, Helen’s deepest calling was to be a healer—not just of the body, but of the human spirit. She has been a guiding light for many while quietly navigating her own struggles behind the scenes.
Her return to the US in 2011, where she had lived briefly in the 90s, was rough on her children and coincided with their request that she stop working in medicine and stay home with them after school—an idea which surprised Helen, but which she and her husband fully supported. She explains: “Two days into my new life, without my lifelong identity as Dr. Helen McNamara, I began to settle into life as housewife Helen O'Shea, with great difficulty. It was then that my husband said "You've always wanted to sing - this is your chance.”
Helen rediscovered her life-long passion for music, quickly becoming a dynamic force in the independent music scene, collaborating with two-time Grammy winner Marc Swersky (Joe Cocker, Natalie Cole), winning Best Americana Song for “Sturdy Soul” at the Global Music Awards, and earning nominations for the 2024 Josie Awards and the International Singer-Songwriter Award for Best Duo with Alexander Simone for their collaboration on “Holy Mother”.
ABOUT LIAM O’MAONLAÍ
Born in 1964, Ó’Maonlaí started singing as a boy under the tutelage of his mother and father, becoming professional in 1986 after forming international rhythm and blues/folk band Hothouse Flowers. He has recorded and performed with Damien Dempsy , Sinéad O’Connor, Dolores O’Riordan, U2, Paul Brady , Dónal Lunny , Neil McColl , Jane St. John, Ralph mcTell , Yothu Yindi , Buffy st Marie , Carly Simon and more. Though his foundation is in traditional Irish music, he continues to express his art through music playing with musicians from all corners of the world.
SONG CREDITS:
Writers: Helen McNamara & Marc Swersky
Producer: Marc Swersky
Vocals: Helen O'Shea & Liam O'Maonlai
BGVs: Brielle Brown, Michelle Moore, Lauren O'Shea
Acoustic & Bass Guitars: Marc Swersky
Electric Guitars: Andrew Carillo
Piano/Keys/Accordion: Rob Clores
Additional Piano: Liam O'Maonlai
Drums/Percussion: Aaron Comess
Engineer: Jack Daley
Mixing: Seth Von Paulus
Mastering: Leon Zervos
