WATCH: Burnchurch sit down for an exclusive interview after their Ardmayle concert

There are bands that play music, and then there are bands that summon it. Burnchurch, a quartet of siblings from Kilkenny with strong Tipperary connections, belongs emphatically to the latter. Burnchurch is a bilingual band that is quickly establishing itself as one of Ireland’s most compelling acts.

Comprised of siblings Sadhbh, Síofra, Éanna, and Ruairí Ó Casaide, along with their friend Ciaran O’Dwyer on drums. The band blends traditional Irish music with contemporary pop, jazz, and rock elements. Their music honours heritage while carving out a sound that is distinctly their own.

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At the heart of Burnchurch’s identity is family. Their father, Seathrún Ó Casaide, is a veteran of the acclaimed Irish-language family group Na Casaidigh. For those unfamiliar, Na Casaidigh is a renowned Irish-language family ensemble, famed for its intricate harmonies and deep commitment to traditional music.

Since the 1970s, they have performed both nationally and internationally, safeguarding the essence of Irish folk while boldly exploring its lyrical contours. This legacy of artistry and cultural devotion now flows unmistakably through Burnchurch’s music.

In conversation, Burnchurch were as unguarded as they are on stage. When asked about the artists and genres that have influenced Burnchurch, Éanna explained: “In the house where we were raised, our dad was a huge trad head. He always had the speakers going with CDs of bands like Planxty and The Chieftains—these big traditional groups going right back. So we grew up surrounded by the sounds of flute, bouzouki, uilleann pipes, all those traditional instruments. That was our first real influence. As we got older, we started listening to what was out there in the world—the likes of Coldplay—and personally I’ve always loved The Script, Irish bands that really made a mark for themselves. That’s been a huge influence on us as well.”

Growing up in an Irish-speaking household, the siblings naturally incorporate both Irish and English into their lyrics, producing a bilingual sound that is fresh yet steeped in cultural memory. When speaking to the band, Síofra reflected on the positive influence the Irish language has had on their early career.

“It has opened so many doors for us—for example, Féile na Gealaí, a major summer festival for Irish speakers. We also have two gigs next month at the Oireachtas, and at Electric Picnic we performed on the Irish language stage. We’ve gotten so much from the Irish language, and we’re really proud to be able to speak it and to share it.”

On the weekend of September 12–13, Burnchurch performed two intimate candlelit concerts at the historic St. John the Baptist Church in Ardmayle, Tipperary. Hosted by the Ardmayle Heritage Society, the tickets for the concert sold out within 72 hours, prompting organizers to add a second night to meet the overwhelming demand. It was the society’s chairperson, Niall Touhy, who first invited the band to perform, recognizing that their music would resonate perfectly within such a storied venue.

Candlelight flickered across stone walls as Burnchurch delivered a performance both intimate and sweeping. The uilleann pipes moaned like ghosts of Ireland’s past, the fiddle soared with fiery grace, and their vocal harmonies—sometimes tender, sometimes startlingly raw—wove a rich tapestry that seemed to vibrate in the very air. The concert was not merely a performance but a conversation with history, with tradition, and with the audience’s own imagination.

Among the musical incantations of the night, standout songs included Can You Imagine, Saviour, and The People That Were There for Us, the latter distinguished by its poignantly crafted lyrics. The result was a spellbinding evening in which the past and present collided, leaving the audience suspended between nostalgia and revelation. Burnchurch does not simply perform—they haunt, charm, and exhilarate, proving that Irish music, when approached with courage and intelligence, remains endlessly vital.

Reflecting on the Ardmayle concerts, Éanna remarked, “It meant the absolute world to us to be invited to such a historic setting. Beforehand, I was a little skeptical—we had never played in a church before, in such an intimate atmosphere under candlelight. But on the night I was absolutely blown away. To hear the crowds singing along to our songs in that space was incredible. The church itself was a joy to play in; the whole experience was nothing short of a spectacle.”

Sadhbh also added that it was particularly special to perform in front of their grandparents, who live just down the road in Cashel, as well as their aunt Eimear. “It was really lovely to have them there,” she said, “because we’ve always had that family connection to Tipperary as well.”

Burnchurch shows no signs of slowing down. The band is preparing to release their debut album, produced by the legendary Leo Pearson, renowned for his ability to blend traditional Irish sounds with modern sonic textures. Éanna said, “Leo has an incredible musical brain, having worked with U2, The Corrs, The Cranberries—these incredible bands. What he encourages as a producer is for us to be our authentic selves. We were raised singing sean-nós, blood harmonies, playing traditional instruments, and he encourages us to use what we have naturally.”

Speaking about the new album, Síofra remarked, “It’s an experience of Irish culture. Our sound is rooted in strong harmonies, but we’re also exploring different styles. One of the styles we have been experimenting with recently is samba dance rhythm, which we’ve incorporated into a few tracks. It’s always a hit at festivals—people love to dance to it—but an experience of Irish culture is at the forefront of the album.”

Burnchurch is more than just a band—they are a living bridge between Ireland’s musical past and its vibrant present. From their roots in a household steeped in traditional Irish music to their fearless experimentation with contemporary styles, they embody a rare combination of authenticity, creativity, and ambition.

Their bilingual songwriting and the promise of a debut album produced by Leo Pearson all point to a band determined to make its mark. As Éanna puts it, “We hope to play together as a band for as long as possible and achieve as much as we can. Ultimately, we want to leave a legacy of creating brilliant albums and touring far and wide—that’s really all I can say for now.” With that vision guiding them, Burnchurch is not just shaping their own future—they are redefining how Irish music speaks to a new generation.

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