Thanks for the responses!

I agree -- the Irish limitation really narrows things. I sing & play Irish traditional music, so I'm most interested in songs in that style, at least (and preferably old).

I'll take a look for that mining song. Darling Corey and Little Maggie are both lovely songs, but both are definitely largely about these women in the context of men (the appeal of, or relationships with).

I really appreciate the help with this little quest of mine. It's been depressingly difficult to find any.

I don't know if people here are familiar with the Bechdel Test for films, but the requirements are that a film fulfils 3 criteria:

1. It has to have at least two women in it
2. Who talk to each other
3. About something besides a man

Surprisingly rare (none of the 3 original Star Wars films, for example, pass this test).

Anyway, it's been very interesting seeing how traditional songs fare against similar criteria. Not great, alas.