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RTE Radio1 folk award nominee Ciara O’Neill has been on quite the musical journey over the last
eight years. Originally from Co Armagh and now based in Belfast her debut album ‘The Ebony
Trail,’ (2016) set the foundations of a career notching up praise from BBC 6 Music’s Tom Robinson, Hot Press magazine and more along the way.
But it wasn’t just the press that sat up and took notice of her haunting folk songs; music lovers
and industry folk from across the Atlantic saw something special in both Ciara’s songwriting and
her ability to silence a room with her voice. Receiving publishing interest after a chance meeting at
the Belfast Nashville Songwriting Festival she found herself flying back and forth to the USA
working with some of the finest songwriters Music City had to offer. It was there she sowed the seeds of what was to become her second album ‘Arrow’ (2018).
Just as Ciara was starting to think about her third album, the world locked down due to the
pandemic and finding comfort once again in her guitar she began creating an EP ‘La Lune’ (2022).
Supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Ciara’s most recent single ‘La Lune’ topped the airplay charts of BBC Radio Ulster and RTE Radio1, it was also this song which led to
Ciara being nominated for best emerging artist at the 2022 RTE Radio1 Folk awards.
In addition to writing solo, Ciara is also a keen collaborator and has worked with many world class
songwriters and artists over the years including Grammy winner Don Henry, Grammy
nominated Drew Ramsey and Gary Burr as well as Northern Irelands finest Ryan McMullan, Gareth Dunlop and Ciaran Lavery.
On the live front Ciara has lots of highlights too, most notably playing in front of a US TV audience
of 60 million for Music City Roots, showcasing at Folk Alliance in Kansas City, representing
Northern Ireland in Brussels for culture night and representing Belfast as a UNESCO city of music
in London, Ontario in July 2023 where she played the main stage at Home County Music and Arts
Festival. Her numerous performances at the iconic Nashville venue the Bluebird Cafe and her
recent sold out headline shows for the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival and Sound of Belfast also rank high among her ever growing list of achievements.
With a focus on her beautiful vocals and raw, poetic songwriting Ciara’s music is sure to appeal to
music lovers across the board including fans of other Irish artists Saint Sister and Lisa Hannigan.
Her new EP ‘Woman’ will be out in 2024.
‘Mesmerising, it takes you away like all good music should’
Ralph McLean BBC Radio Ulster
‘Ciara and her songs carry everything with such conviction, it makes her almost transparent.’
Folk Radio UK
‘Your new favourite, beautiful album.. 9/10’
Americana UK
‘A must listen for folk fans’
Hotpress Magazine

If i were to build my own castle
with the rocks they throw at me 
ill will peak and tweak the examples
never wear my heart on my sleeve

Blame me they think i have it all
Shame they dont know whats behind these walls
Brace my self for the fall
behind these tall castle walls
......................
These castle walls get taller 
more they throw the more it grows
more it grows pain is hard to show 
so theyll just throw more , throw more

What else do they want from me?
Make me feel like my own enemy
Its okay Machiavelli Schemes
Shame id never be able to show them my hopes and dreams

Im doing all of this for them 
still theyre pointing fingers with more blame
more blame only brings more pain
The castle walls just grow again

They dont know ive felt the ground before
So im not scared of the fall
Ive fallen lower than rock bottom
I came from the deep end 

So im standing on the edge 
ill lead by example
Dark horse dreams instead
Machiavellin dreams with the castle

Just know that i will always catch you when you fall
Dont mistake me ill be trapping and balling
Im there whenever you are calling
Behind these tall castle walls im on the edge
ill go in like a dark horse instead

Eyes are windows to the soul 
every emotion can show 
mine will only tell you lies
Through these blood shot eyes i hide

Real eyes 
realize 
the real lies
so realize when these castle walls fall

More blame brings more shame
more shame brings more pain
Eyes are windows to the soul
With my eyes blood shot these castle walls grow again

If i were to build my own castle
with the rocks they throw at me 
i will always lead by example
i will come in like a Ghost or Dark Horse

Glad Machiavelli schemes doesnt make it worse
Sad they are pointing fingers at the wall 
Mad they dont know whats behind these walls
Worse that the bridges burnt but it doesnt hurt
im bracing myself for the fall
behind all these tall castle walls

Music maker

ig: @_ameeno
contact: beatsbyameeno@gmail.com

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