Kilkenny group Burnchurch take to the stage at Electric Picnic

Kilkenny’s own Burnchurch have had the most extraordinary year, even by their own standards and will perform at Electric Picnic this weekend.

In the last week alone, they have composed music for an upcoming radio drama on KCLR and have translated their own original English language songs for their weekend gig on the Irish language stage at Stradbally. As Gaeilge is their spoken language at home, it wasn’t an especially onerous task, but they place an emphasis on sounding as natural and as real as possible, crafting their lyrics as Gaeilge so it becomes something they would say in everyday life.

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Although they've had a very busy summer, performing the 2023 Kilkenny hurling song on television and at the homecoming event, their real focus has been writing rehearsing what’s promising to be a powerful debut album of original material. They describe their sound as ‘new Irish popular music’, which draws on elements such as uileann pipes and traditional rhythms. They’ve been working with legendary, local music producer Leo Pearson who foresees great things for this talented group of Kilkenny siblings. 

Perhaps their single biggest achievement in 2023, was their being asked, through their cousin Sibéal, to provide what became a stunning piece of music to accompany Katie Taylor’s walk on to her recent homecoming bout at the 3Arena, heard by a literal worldwide audience.

 Their beloved grandmother, Nóirín Mawe from Valentia, often spoke to her grandchildren about 'the glorious uncertainty of life', and so it has proven to be true again. This time last year, they were busking to get festival tickets. This Friday, they will be appearing themselves at Electric Picnic, at prime time, on stage with the very best in the business. 

It’s not surprising, and certainly not a matter of luck, unless you subscribe to the often quoted maxim: 'the harder I work, the luckier I get'. They’ve been extremely busy, playing a run of well regarded gigs and are composing on a hugely impressive level of productivity. 

Burnchurch are part of the new generation of musicians, coming as they do, from the well remembered group Na Casadaigh. Incidentally, their cousins Maitiu and Natalie of the Bonnymen will take the stage soon after Burnchurch on Friday night.

Things are looking good, the hard work is paying off, their future is looking bright. Nóirín was right again!