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John Spillane

  • Courthouse Arts Centre Dwyer Square Tinahely, County Wicklow, Ireland (map)

John Spillane is a musician, songwriter, performer, recording artist, storyteller, poet and dreamer. Rooted in people, place and story, his music transports the listener and his live performances captivate audiences around the world.

As an artist his music appeals to listeners across many genres and generations. His vocal style has a unique almost sean-nó s like quality and his performances shimmer with the magic realism that permeates many of his songs as he effortlessly fl its between beautiful poetry tinged with melancholy to roguish, irreverent humour. John has the ability to charm, mesmerise and entertain in equal measure.

A native of Cork, the County he lovingly describes as “the centre of the universe” and a source of huge creative infl uence throughout his career. John’s music is inspired by and encapsulates Irish traditional music in its contemporary form – a refl ection of Ireland today.

A two-time Meteor Award winner for Best Folk/Trad act John is one of the most accomplished songwriters in Ireland. With an extensive back catalogue beginning with the 1997 album The Wells of the World, his songs have been covered by Christy Moore, Sharon Shannon, Sean Keane and many others. Twelve albums later in April 2021, John released his fi rst independent album in 20 years, 100 Snow White Horses.

John Spillane shared his most artistically ambitious work to date: Fí oruisce – The Legend of the Lough, on Friday 13th September 2024. The concept album, released on double CD and digital, features John alongside a stellar cast of collaborators: Rí oghnach Connolly, Eoghan Ó Ceannabhá in, Niamh Farrell, Nell Ní Chró iní n, and more and has gone on to be named as ‘Album of The Year’ at the RTE Folk Awards.

Earlier Event: 22 November
Ireland's Call: John Connors
Later Event: 5 December
Andy Irvine