Tipperary singer to perform special festival gig this weekend

Tipperary-based singer and musician Katelyn Barry has been taking the country’s stages by storm so far in her newly-blossoming career.​

​The 17 year-old from Thurles has been the talk of plaudits near and far in the early stages of her musical career, performing countless school shows, playing numerous instruments, and performing in three separate bands, each with their own distinct sound.

She was introduced to music from an early age, barely remembering life beforehand, beginning her journey by learning the violin, before moving on to learn saxophone, as well as performing trad music.

Katelyn is not the first in her family to be blessed with a natural talent for music, with her mother performing with Cashel’s brass band, and her great grandfather performing with a céilí band, providing her with plenty of inspiration as her love for music grew.

Currently, Katelyn is performing in the Ursuline Secondary School’s performance of Les Misérables, where she is playing the part of Javert.

She also performs with the bands and orchestras in the school.

This is not her first time playing major roles in shows, playing Paulette in the school’s staging of Legally Blonde, the Baroness in Limelight Theatre’s staging of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Nellie in Jekyll & Hyde.

A major highlight in her career so far was getting to sing for Thurles actress, and Academy Award nominee Kerry Condon, upon her visit to the school earlier this year.

When she’s not on the road, Katelyn performs every second week in the Arch Bar in Thurles, with her friend Seán, who plays guitar.

Those familiar with Katelyn’s performances will be aware of the wide range of genres she covers with her various bands.

When gigging in the Arch Bar, she and Seán play more country and Irish music for the pub-going crowd, with a dash of the likes of Fleetwood Mac and the Cranberries sprinkled in for good measure.

When performing with The Grapevine, one of her bands, she says they play solely Motown music, with Katelyn playing saxophone as well as singing.

With her third band, Katelyn Barry and the Skins, of which she is the lead singer, they play mostly rock songs with some pop hits.

With Violet Hour, she plays mostly funk and dance hits to get the crowd moving.

Katelyn has a jam-packed schedule heading into the winter months, with an upcoming gig this weekend in Clonmel, where she will be performing with her band The Grapevine.

The gig is free to those interested in heading along to see the performance, which will take place from 3:20pm to 4:20pm in the Plaza.

She also has a gig booked with singer-songwriter Tolü Makay in Tullamore on October 9.

She credits much of her success to St Angela’s Music School in Thurles, where she has honed her craft over the years, particularly thanking her teachers Kevin, Linda, Mary-Rose and Kat, who she says have been so supportive of everything she has done so far, and also giving thanks to her music teacher Ms Butler, and to her family, who she says have always been supportive of her journey so far.

Katelyn is facing into her Leaving Cert exams next June, however she feels she already has her mind made up on what path she is hoping to follow once they conclude, stating that she wants more people to know that music is something people can make a career out of, emphasising its importance.

You can catch Katelyn and The Grapevine this Saturday in Clonmel at 3:20pm.