ÁR SCÉAL

Burnchurch are a 4 piece band made up of two pairs of sisters and brothers, Sadhbh (21) fiddle, piano & vocals, Siofra (20) flute, keys & vocals, Eanna (18) keys, pipes & vocals, Ruairi (16) pipes, bass & vocals. The band takes its name from their townsland in Co. Kilkenny, the place that shaped their artistic journey. Coming from an Irish-speaking family they draw inspiration from their native language, which they skilfully incorporate into their music.

During the challenging times in lockdown, Burnchurch won the 2FM Gaeltacht Tí competition. In 2021 they composed the heartfelt song “She” which was recorded alongside the Loreto Choir and Orchestra, and has become the official Loreto anthem for 80,000 students worldwide. Recently the band featured in the music for Disney’s Star Wars, with acclaimed 2D Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon.

As the band continue to make strides in their musical journey, Burnchurch are preparing for their debut album with renowned producer Leo Pearson and planning to release it later this year. Packed with original songs that blend their Irish music influence with contemporary pop/rock sound, the album promises to be a testament to the band’s unique sound and immense talent.

The band’s groundbreaking music and uplifting live performances promises a bright future.

“A young, highly talented and enthusiastic group of musicians, they are impressing many people along the way.” - Kilkenny People.

Táimid ag súil go mór lenár gceol a roinnt libh. Bígí ag faire amach dúinn!

  • Éanna (18) - Keys, Uileann Pipes, Vocals

    At the age of only 11, Éanna won the Canon Brennan Bursary Award at the Gala Concert for the Kilkenny Music festival, with his solo vocal work - this was open to all ages. Although he is still only in Leaving Cert year, he regularly accompanies a multitude of choirs and music groups in Kilkenny on the Piano, and his contemporary piano playing and composition is a driving force behind the success of Burnchurch. Having got a distinction in Grade 8, he is now studying for a diploma in the Piano. However, his first love is writing, recording and producing music. This, however, has to compete with his hurling - Éanna was a county minor hurler for Kilkenny, and last year at 17, made the senior team for his local club, Danesfort.

  • Sadhbh (21) - Fiddle, Vocals

    Sadhbh studied piano and violin from an early age, and always loved to sing. On leaving Loreto Kilkenny to study in Trinity College Dublin, she wrote a song called 'She', about the liberation of women through education. She performed it with Loreto Kilkenny's Choir and Orchestra on the school's Camogie pitch. The video of the performance can be found on YouTube, and features many Loreto school choirs from around the world singing the song. 'She' was adopted as the Official Loreto World Anthem for 70,000 students across the world.

  • Síofra (20) - Flute, Keys, Vocals

    Síofra is an accomplished flautist, pianist and vocalist. She was chosen to represent Ireland, singing an Irish Sean-Nós song by Iarla Ó Lionaird in a video for the Irish Pavilion at the Dubai World Expo 2020. She also sang the lead vocal on the Sountrack for Star Wars Visions - Screechers reach (a short film by Cartoon Saloon), as well as singing a number of songs for the Cartoon Saloon series, 'Silly Sundays'. She plays soccer with her local club, Evergreen FC, and was on the Kilkenny team who won the Gaynor Cup, a national soccer tournament, in 2019.

  • Ruairí (16) - Bass Guitar, Uileann Pipes, Vocals

    Ruairí, the youngest member of the band, is a multi-instrumentalist, playing the Uileann Pipes, Piano, Bass Guitar and more. In transition year, he is a member of the CBS Kilkenny Trad Band, as well as also being a keen soccer player with the local club, Evergreen FC.

ÉIST