MacBóchra

Is ionann 'seanchas' agus stair ársa, dlithe, traidisiúin, gineallach agus béaloideas na hÉireann. Is as an saibhreas so a fháisceann MacBóchra amhráin, ceol agus rince:

"Is ón seanchaí is sine, an breac, an fiolar agus an fiach dubh, Fintan Mac Bóchra, a thagann ár n-ainm. Tuigeann ár mbanna an traidisiún ina fhórsa beo go gcuimhnítear air i bhfoirmeacha éagsúla... aistear a bhíonn le roinnt ag an lucht féachana."

The word seanchas in the Irish language refers to the ancient histories, laws, traditions, geneologies and lore of Ireland. It is this great wealth of tradition and storytelling that MacBóchra shapes into new bilingual music, poetry and dance:

''We take our name from the shape shifting salmon, eagle, hawk and oldest seanchaí Fintan mac Bóchra. Our band explores tradition as a force living on and remembered in different forms...a shared jouney with our audience''

MacBóchra are Brendan Duffin, Gormfhlaith Ní Shíocháin Ní Bheoláin, Brian Leach and Brian Sheehan.

The band create music for two bodhráns, tin whistles, tiompán, voices, hammer dulcimer, sean nós dance and electronics, exploring territory that is informed by Irish traditional music, yet distinctive in its own right.

After a busy year in the studio, and a year of building their reputation at live events including performances at the Hazel Wood stage of Electric Picnic 2024, Ar Imeall Festival and Macalla Festival, the band released their new EP, entitled 'MacBóchra', in December 2024 . The EP retells stories associated with Finn mac Cool, Connla's Well (where the salmon gains its knowledge) as well as lesser known stories such as the monstrous worm that escapes from the head of Cruimh Chinn Chéin and the life and death battle of Ireland's two oldest animals, namely The Hawk of Achill and the salmon Goll Essa Ruadh. The EP's artwork is by Waterford based stained glass artist Rayleen Clancy and the calligraphy was created by artist Alibhe Reilly Tuite.

Using stories found in the National Folklore Collection the band recently collaborated with artist Sophia Felumaz Santabarbara on a photographic exploration of beliefs associated with 'An Fóidín Meara' or 'The Stray Sod'. This tradition centres around becoming lost in a field or rural locality, normally at night, with the cure involving turning your jacket inside out. The project 'Seachrán Sí' can be found on the band's website.

The band is also currently collaborating with Cork City company Strive Theatre on 'Goll', a theatrical adaption of the stories associated with Fintan mac Bóchra. The show will combine the band's music with poetry, film and dance and is due to premiere in late 2025 in the Briery Gap Theatre, Macroom, Co.Cork.

All this marks out the band's continuing ambition to explore the béaloideas of Ireland using every artistic medium available to them.

''...the only band in the country that mines the deep seams of mythology we have in Ireland...Why is nobody else doing what MacBóchra do?'' John Spillane