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

Singer/songwriter
original songs.
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I could give you my background, but it wouldn't really tell you how it shaped me. I could show you photos, but you would just see my mask. I could tell you a story, but lyrical self expressions aren't my forte. You could ask my friends, but they'd give you their version of me. 

But if you were to just listen intently to some of the music I make, you'll hear my soul ripped intricately open for all to see....

David grew up surrounded by music (at least until he took his mother’s record player apart at the age of 6 to see how it worked). His favourite toys were those that made or recorded sound. One of his most loved being the Stylaphone, which he was given at the age of 4.
David began Djing at the age of 18, playing local events and clubs whenever the opportunity arose, often for free, solely for the enjoyment and satisfaction it gave him.

Whilst at University in Manchester, UK, David co formed and ran a successful club night for 3 years, playing to a loyal, continuously growing crowd every fortnight. Success in this arena lead to David securing many bookings at local clubs and events around the North West of England.

Through his love for Djing, David felt an increasing desire to create his own music, and explore the soundscapes that were building up in his mind.

The day that profoundly changed David’s life, and enabled him to realise his life long dream occurred by chance. A friend took him into the University music studio, briefly showed him how to turn the keyboards and equipment on, gave a ten minute lesson in the music production software on the computer, and left the room. 6 hours flew by, completely hooked, he had found the path he had been searching for since he was a child.

Ever since, every penny he shouldn’t have spent, every spare moment he has, goes on letting emotions flow through sound. 

David donates much of all royalties received from the sales of his music to good causes.

Marion Jordan is following